The Dam Keeper

The Dam Keeper is a 2014 animated short film directed by Robert Kondo and Daisuke Tsutsumi. The film was produced by Tonko House, a studio founded by Kondo and Tsutsumi after their departure from Pixar Animation Studios. The short film has received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Plot

The story is set in a small town where a young pig, known as the Dam Keeper, is responsible for maintaining a windmill dam that keeps a dark cloud from engulfing the town. The pig faces bullying at school and isolation due to his responsibilities. However, his life changes when a new student, a fox, arrives and befriends him. The film explores themes of loneliness, friendship, and the importance of kindness.

Production

The Dam Keeper was created using a combination of traditional hand-drawn animation and digital techniques. The film's unique visual style is characterized by its painterly backgrounds and expressive character designs. The production process involved a small team of animators and artists, many of whom had previously worked at Pixar.

Reception

The Dam Keeper premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and went on to screen at numerous other film festivals, garnering several awards. It was particularly praised for its emotional depth, visual style, and storytelling. The film's success led to the development of a graphic novel series and discussions about a potential feature-length adaptation.

Legacy

The success of The Dam Keeper helped establish Tonko House as a notable independent animation studio. The film's directors, Kondo and Tsutsumi, have continued to work on various projects, further contributing to the animation industry.

See also

• List of animated short films
• Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
• Pixar Animation Studios
• Berlin International Film Festival

External links

The Dam Keeper at IMDb