Wednesday 19th March 2008 @ Watershed, Bristol

To blink would be a crime; to cough would be a sin. With an interesting blend of cut out animation and stop motion puppetry, Kihachiro Kawamoto’s puppet season at the Watershed was a refreshing diversion from the full-length film, forcing audience members to metaphorically tape their eyes wide open to prevent them missing even a squint of the puppet masters talent.

I was lucky enough to catch Kawamoto’s Absurdities, Legends and Fairytales which consisted of five short films; Braking Branches is Forbidden, The Trip, The Poet’s Life, Dojoji Temple and Anthoropo-cynical Farce. Each film offered a different kind of eye pleasure and although it was difficult, I managed to pick a favorite in Breaking Branches is Forbidden. Such jesting from the little bald headed man made me smile throughout and although it was a simple tale, the use of colour, puppetry and mask work was stunning.

Kawamoto’s ability to unify his work through his love of mask work and character enhancing music brought this collection of films together while being distinctly different in their themes. There was a limited use of subtitles and dialogue, instead the music created atmosphere and gave the audience an insight into the characters’ state of mind, something emblematic of puppetry work.

Kawamoto’s puppetry better then Punch and Judy?
Nod Nod

www.watershed.co.uk

Kayleigh Cassidy