Reviews for Breadheads

[Ericho]

This is one of the most bizarre cartoons I've seen in awhile, but also one of the best. Seriously, the animation in this was fantastic. Everything transitioned so freaking well. It was great to have these things going on. I couldn't tell if it was meant to be a metaphor for anything. Maybe it was how we're taken over by negative thoughts?

I love bread. If I was starving like that, I would probably do the same thing. My favorite parts were probably the bones taking over the human bodies. At least I think those were bones. Maybe they were pieces of wheat?

[ZanfibBlack]

Whoa whoa whoa, you get to telling this chilling story and then you don't finish it? That's a 5-star miss!

codywalzel responds:

I guess I'm not sure what you mean. Structurally, the story progressed to a point in which the sources of tension (starvation and the bread's safety) are decided upon. The breadheads are dead, and the soldiers fed. To me, there is not necessarily justice, and the following events of falling action are just filler.

[drknite228]

Great art, great music, great theme. This deserves every reward it receives and maybe even more. If there is anything I like, it's a weird little animation such as this, with a deep meaning to it. Not to mention the drawling style makes it fun to watch.

[SethBrady]

Very good sir. I already reviewed of vimeo but yeah

codywalzel responds:

Email Tom about putting The Crawler up! It was the favorite of myself and my fellow Pratt attendees at the Dustys this year.

[jeand207]

I think my lack of analytical skills shine through here, but i wonder what the moral of this story was...

codywalzel responds:

Oh man, I will copy and paste my extraordinarily long artist's statement on what this thing is about if you care for a somewhat tedious and wordy explanation. But the condensed version is, it'sh an exploration of human action in desperation. Enjoy:

"Starving soldiers divide a measly last meal when sick allies arrive at their base. Their affliction takes a turn for the worse and one of the Allie's head turns to bread. For the moment, ravenous eyes and murderous teeth are kept at bay by the command of the Sergeant. The breadhead soon dies, his head immediately rotting beyond edible. When the other ally transforms into food, the starving soldier's desperation forces the battle between hunger and humanity.

Borrowing directorial cues from German expressionism, harsh angles and stark shadows aim to deliver an ever-present sense of danger and tension. Bolshevik Revolution posters were the starting point for the environment and art direction of the film. As the palette developed, the blacks and neutrals were replaced by monochrome shades of reds and pinks. Flat, sharp design gave way to the many values of this monochrome scheme, which allowed more depth to the cluttered, industrial space. Fluid and overstated animation not only references the silent acting of the time period portrayed, but also attempts to deliver content to a low dialogue story.

Hunger, transformation, and cannibalism themes state the malleable perception of "human." While the allied refugees remain in their original form, the bunker soldiers are accommodating, concerned; humane. Seconds after the transformation, the former allies in need become a welcome meal. Less glamorous faces of desperation are at first kept checked by the scorn of fellow man. Once the dead meal rots, only one morsel remains to curtail the agony of hunger. Breadheads closes upon a scene suggesting no authority short of force can stay the hand of true desperation."