Bad Seeds (2021 film)

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Bad Seeds
French Mauvaises herbes
Directed by Claude Cloutier
Written byClaude Cloutier
Produced byGalilé Marion-Gauvin
Julie Roy
Edited byGuillaume Fortin
Music by Robert Marcel Lepage
Production
companies
Productions l'Unite Centrale
The National Film Board of Canada
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada
Release date
Running time
6 minutes
CountryCanada

Bad Seeds (French : Mauvaises herbes) is a Canadian animated short film, written, directed and animated by Claude Cloutier for the National Film Board of Canada. [1] The short had its international premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, [2] and won multiple awards for Best Animated Short Film in Calgary International Film Festival and the 2021 New York City Short Film Festival [3] and the Sommets du cinéma d'animation. [4] [5] The film was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for the 94th Academy Awards. [6]

Contents

Plot

Bad Seeds depicts a surreal modern-day fable where two carnivorous plants, who can change shape like chameleons change colours, would rather fight over flies than work together to survive. [7] Growth is intertwined with rivalry; evolution with competition, resulting in a startling conflict littered with references to historical figures, popular culture, board games, and more. [1]

Accolades

YearPresenter/FestivalAward/CategoryStatusRef
2021 Sommets du cinéma d'animation Public Prize in the international competitionWon [5]
New York City Short Film FestivalBest Animated Short FilmWon [3]
Los Angeles Animation FestivalComedy Short Award & Best of the FestWon [8]
94th Academy Awards Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film Shortlisted [6]
2022 24th Quebec Cinema Awards Prix Iris for Best Animated Short Film Pending

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References

  1. 1 2 Charlie Smith, "VIFF review: The NFB's "Bad Seeds/Mauvaises Herbes" shows the nasty side of plants and humans". The Georgia Straight , October 8, 2021.
  2. Maxime Demers, "Un Québécois en lice à Annecy". Le Journal de Montréal , June 16, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Three Acclaimed NFB Animated Shorts to Put on Your Radar". Animation World Network , December 6, 2021.
  4. Amine Esseghir, "Mauvaises herbes de Claude Cloutier, le dessin animé de la vieille école". Métro , May 17, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "5 NFB Shorts Screening at 2021 Ottawa Animation Festival". Animation World Network , September 20, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Pete Hammond, "Oscars Shortlists Out: ‘No Time To Die’ And ‘Dune’ Lead Mentions; France’s Palme D’Or Winner Snubbed". Deadline Hollywood , December 21, 2021.
  7. "Greed Propels a Surreal Battle in Delightful Animated Short Bad Seeds". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  8. "‘Bad Seeds’ and ‘Affairs of the Art’ Lead LAAF 2021 Winners". Animation World Network , December 9, 2021.