Animation Station

UPDATE: Yes, I'm aware the links are not working. I'll do my best to get new ones up soon.

Another genius recommendation from my buddy Jordan, this short animated film is actually an adaptation of a french story by Jean Giono titled, "L'homme qui plantait des arbres" ("The Man Who Planted Trees"). This 1987 Canadian version was directed by Frederic Back, and is narrated by Christopher Plummer. This version won an Academy Award for the Best Animated Short Film in the same year. Jean Giono's original story was published in 1953, and has been adapted for use with puppets, as well as recorded as spoken word. The story's narrator tells us of a man who dedicates nearly his entire life to revitalizing an area of desolate land by planting trees, one at a time. Not only is the story incredibly touching, but the animation is amazingly delicate, ethereal, and soft. It's as if Back wanted to use an animation style that imitated the breeze that seems to be constantly blowing throughout the film.

Please give this a watch. It's split into three videos, totaling 30 minutes.

Thanks, Jordan, for passing this along. Enjoy.