Gurgaon-based director sends animated film to Cannes

Storytelling is an art and it can be in any form. One can draw with crayons, pencils and watercolours, but it has to create a concept that connects with people, said Shaaz Ahmed, who sent his animated movie to the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

‘Talking Walls’ is about the makeover of the paediatric ward at LN Hospital in New Delhi and is produced in an animation–installation format.

The six-minute movie is about transforming the dull atmosphere of the hospital into live art, where every inch of the 650-sqm wall retells the classic story of the hare and the tortoise and the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

“We painted animation on walls with two easy stories. The design is simple, the colours sturdy and the ambience aimed at creating curiosity. It took us 13-days to complete the project,” Ahmed, founder and director of Mud n Water, a communication design studio in Gurgaon, said.

Using techniques of ‘stop-motion animation’, Ahmed’s film is conceived by painting animated sequences as graphic art. It will be screened on March 31 March at the FICCI Frames 2016 Mumbai.

“We believe in innovation and it can only come when you are nervous and anxious. We change the art according to narratives. We do not repeat style, which keeps you at the edge,” he said.

The film highlights the perseverance and determination of the tortoise, the chrysalis of the caterpillar into a butterfly, at the same time not denigrating the hare. The artwork attempts to soothe the ailing child and distract him/her from pain.

Shaaz studied animation film design from NID India and his Mud n Water produces animation, ad films, short films, urban art and documentaries.