Painter and Poet No. 1

1 Jan 1951
Sound
8m

An experiment in words, music and paintings' two poems are illustrated for the BFI's contribution to the Festival of Britain

Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare or the great bard Anonymous, these illustrated versions made as the BFI's contribution to the Festival of Britain will please. Twa Corbies is enlivened by the distinctive voice of John 'We're doomed!' Laurie, and paired with Michael Rothenstein's delightfully textured drawings. Shakespeare's Spring and Winter is sung by Peter Pears, with illustrations by Meryn 'Gormenghast' Peake.

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The Animator's Art

Free from commercial restraints, animators explore their art

After WWII, animation was increasingly recognised as a vital art form in its own right. Commercial work put food on their plates, but animators longed for creative freedom, and many production companies and determined animators created independent works in between paid gigs. Unshackled from commercial concerns, the resulting films were often daring in their pursuit of abstraction or personal expression. Meanwhile, many artists from other media have found that animation adds a vital new dimension to their work. But while such films were celebrated in their community they were rarely shown more widely. This collection showcases often hard-to-see examples of the animator's art at its purest and most individual.