Begone Dull Care

Begone Dull Care is an iconic experimental short film from 1950, directed by two remarkably creative individuals, Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart. This brief, operative, and admittedly abstract art film is known for its revolutionary integration of visual art and music. A masterpiece of the post-World War II era, it has been praised over the decades for its unique approach in delivering a sensory experience, which has established its place as a significant work within the world of experimental cinema.

In the era of traditional storytelling through cinema, Begone Dull Care discards the narrative norm, instead opting to engage its audience in a captivating visual and auditory experience. Delicately treading the line between painting, jazz music, and filmmaking, the film creates a mesmerizing milieu that lingers in your subconscious long after you've seen it. It's a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, rhythmically dancing and metamorphosing, dictating the rhythm of jazz soundtracks for less than ten minutes but rendering an absolutely invaluable experimental experience.

Furthermore, Begone Dull Care is a testament to McLaren's mastery over animation and filmmaking techniques. Using the direct animation method, McLaren and Lambart painted and etched designs directly onto filmstock. This colorful array of shapes and lines, designated times and spaces on the filmstrip, correspond to various jazz pieces by the Oscar Peterson Trio. This resulted in an audio-visual symphony of sorts, synchronizing the music and visuals, where each danced to the tune of the other, creating a fantastical spectacle of colors and sounds.

The film is almost an ode to the spirit of jazz, symbolic of freedom of expression and improvisation. The music ranges from soft and downbeat melodic tunes that conjure subtly toned shades and delicately flowing lines, to peppy and upbeat numbers eliciting riotous splashes of colors and erratic shapes. No frame is predictable or repeatable, much like a spontaneous jazz performance, and thus each moment is an unexpected surprise, filled with awe and satisfaction.

Begone Dull Care is a film without characters or plot, yet it does not lack emotional depth. It manages to evoke a range of emotions purely through abstracted visuals and encompassing sound. The varying tempo and mood of the music, together with the ever-changing visuals, bring forth feelings of joy, tranquility, surprise and even chaos. The viewer is taken through a whirlwind of emotions, reflecting the highs and lows, the actions and reactions of life itself.

The film is an absolute celebration and a visual manifestation of music itself. The vibrant hues and whimsical lines that appear on the screen are representations of the different notes, tunes, bars, and instruments played throughout the film. The direct animation technique used in the film craftily synthesizes a painterly explosion of visuals, where each frame serves as a canvas of its own, mirroring the eclectic nature of jazz.

Despite being an abstract and non-narrative film, Begone Dull Care definitely brings to mind philosophical interpretations of life's rhythm and tempo, and the excitement and unpredictability it holds. It suggests that life, like the film, is a combination of hues and tones, erratic and tranquil, predictable and sudden, yet in a synchronised rhythm that makes a beautiful symphony.

Begone Dull Care is an unconventional piece of cinema that beautifully bends the boundaries of film and visual art. The confluence of music, animation, and visual artistry in the film creates an immersive experiment in perception that continues to inspire modern films, animations, and audio-visual designs. This unique cinematic endeavor is a must-watch for those interested in experimental cinema that breaks from the confines of traditional storytelling and excels in idiosyncratic expression. Those who are aficionados of abstract art, jazz enthusiasts, or are simply seeking an innovative cinematic exposure, will find Begone Dull Care nothing short of enchanting.