When the Day Breaks

When the Day Breaks is an animated short film from 1999. Directed by Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis, this National Film Board of Canada production uses the aesthetic of hand-drawn animation to weave together a story that's as heartfelt as it is inherently surreal.

The film centers around a character named Ruby, an anthropomorphic hen whose life takes an unexpected turn following an unexpected encounter in the bustling metropolis she calls home. The narrative takes viewers along on Ruby’s journey, with the film unfurling in an episodic manner that breaks down the essence of everyday life into a series of beautifully rendered moments.

The directors use the lens of Ruby’s life to delve into facets of human existence often overlooked in busier, more distracted times. The film isn’t afraid to tackle heavier emotional subjects, raising poignant questions about connection, loneliness, death, and the cycles of life in a world that can often seem cold and impersonal.

When the Day Breaks shows Ruby moving through a city filled with detailed and starkly drawn environments. The animation style of the film stands in striking unison with its thematic concerns. The use of slightly granulated graphics, combined with the organic feel of the lines and colours, presents a distinct artistic vision that complements the narrative.

The character design provides a thrilling spin on everyday life. Anthropomorphism allows Tilby and Forbis to imbue their characters with an extra layer of expressiveness that aids in humanizing their experiences. The film inhabits a world bustling with pig waitresses, dog postmen, and cat women on every corner, leading to a visually delightful, quietly whimsical reality that feels simultaneously familiar and otherworldly.

Despite not having any dialogue, the film is powerfully impacting. The narrative relies on the universality of the emotions; facial expressions, body language, and poignant moments of interaction all come into play to communicate the central themes of the film. The lack of spoken dialogue also allows the accompanying soundscape of the city and the stirring musical score to take center stage, immersing viewers into the sensory experience of Ruby’s world.

The sounds they choose are raw and authentic, from the rush of traffic sound to the tinkling bell of a shop door. The aesthetics of the movie is grounded in the everyday, made extraordinary through the unique viewpoint of the main character. The experience is further conveyed through atmospheric music, which mirrors Ruby's emotions, adding another level of depth to the storytelling.

The film pacing is beautifully measured, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the alternatingly melancholic and joyful nuances of Ruby’s life. It is not so much about the bigger narrative arc as it is about the exploration of ordinary moments that make up life, and how even in the most typical of routines, extraordinary experiences can exist. Ruby as a character is tenderly realized, her experiences are inherently relatable despite the obvious species difference.

This Canadian short film pushes the boundary of animation storytelling, intertwining abstract ideas with a relatable narrative. The animation is both stylistically scintillating and thematically befitting, creating a visually stunning masterpiece. The strength of the narrative, the understated beauty of the animation, and the film’s audacity to explore complex themes mark "When the Day Breaks" as a must-watch for any lover of unconventional cinema.

When the Day Breaks is not just an animated film; it’s a poignant meditation on life, connection, and the essential loneliness of being. Ruby’s journey makes for a short but potent piece that leaves its viewers with much to ponder, the true strength of the film lies in its ability to depict the complexity of life’s moments within a simple and surreal animated world. An inspiring depiction of urban life, it serves as a musically charged representation of the inherent melancholy and beauty of existence. This emotionally compelling film is an artistic triumph, a meditation on life and loneliness that showcases the power of animated storytelling.