A French animation showcase: MIAF 2014 review – Sonata

French animationFigures dance fluidly across the screen, drawn limbs appearing and disappearing with a graceful pattern as full cello notes reverberate. This is ‘Sonata’, the beautiful short French animation by Nadia Micault featured at this year’s Melbourne International Animation Festival.

Part drawing, part dance and part cello, Micault’s ‘Sonata’ shows off animation as the true art form it is. Shooting in studios in Barcelona while recording the music in Paris  added a new layer of complexity, a depth of universality to the piece, explains Micault, one of the international guests at MIAF this year.

Micault chose the cello as the backdrop to her work because she herself can play the instrument. En fait, the cello in the film is played by her music teacher, with the microphone buds placed inside the body of the instrument to create the deep, resonating sound of the mournful cello.

French animation

Although she is not a dancer herself, Micault worked collaboratively with Fernando – the choreographer and male dancer in the piece – to create the dance sequence, which she then filmed.

Micault explained that she then imported the video into Photoshop and drew over the top of the bodies with simple lines. Then it was only a matter of hiding the original video so that a white backdrop is presented with drawn figures flowing across the screen.

French animationTruly an artist, Micault refused to commercialise the video at all and instead remained as faithful as she could to her vision while fitting the commission of the piece.

Now living in Belgium (“Paris is expensive!” she exclaimed), Micault described her next project as a more narrative piece. It was a privilege to hear the artist speak at MIAF this year and view her inspiringly beautiful work.

Discover more of MIAF 2014:
Introduction
3 Days in Paris – New 1
3 Days in Paris – New 2
Sacrebleu

Did you see ‘Sonata’ at the Melbourne International Animation Festival? Or are you familiar with other work by Micault? Share with us in the comments!

Image credits
1. Sonata via Meld Magazine
2. Sonata via Arte TV
3. Nadia Micault via Google+

About the Contributor

Sahara Wilson

I have just returned from living in Paris and love to indulge in all things French even when in my hometown of Melbourne. I hope to be a lifelong learner, taking my readers with me as we discover worldly delights! Tweet me @DesertDeWilson or find me on  Google+.

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One Comment

  1. Elise Mellor Jul 24, 2014 at 2:02 PM - Reply

    This sounds like it would have been absolutely beautiful. I wonder if the French are great animators because of their strong, lasting cultural connection to the arts?

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