Jan Svankmajer (born 4 September 1934) is a Czech filmmaker and artist whose work spans several media. He is a self-labeled surrealist known for his animations and features, which have greatly influenced other artists such as Terry Gilliam, the Brothers Quay, and many others.
In class we watched Jan’s short film “Breakfast”.
“Breakfast” is a 1992 Czech animated short film that uses claymation and pixilation. It examines the human relationship with food by showing breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What happens in the film
A man enters a room, sits down, and brushes the previous diner’s leftovers onto the floor. Across from him sits another man with a placard attached to a chain hanging around his neck. The diner stands up and reads the placard one line at a time and follows the instructions. He puts money down the man’s throat and pokes him in the eye. The man’s shirt unbuttons itself, and a dumbwaiter rises up into where the man’s chest should be. The diner takes his food, and punches the man in the chin with his third knuckle for his utensils. When he is done eating, he kicks the man’s shin for a napkin. After wiping off his mouth, the diner convulses, and then goes limp. The man now comes to life, stretches, and places the placard on the former diner. He stands and puts another tally mark on the wall. Another diner comes in and the scenario is repeated with him. At the end, we see a line stretching down the hall and around the corner.
Awards
I found “Breakfast” quite entertaining and i liked it because it was something a little different and unique! I think its very clever, especially as it is done with claymation and pixilation.
Sophie Gollop 