Following up his documentary “European Tour ’73,” released in 2020, filmmaker Ross Munro has released a short doc/love letter to movies entitled “The Moviegoer.” The film, at just under 20 minutes, is different this time around. Munro is not chronicling a time period this time (“European Tour” was the ‘70s), but his love of movies as a child, and what led him to become a filmmaker. The film is produced by his wife, Maria. Munro told me they produced the film as part of a love letter to movies following up on the recent Covid-19 pandemic period where people couldn’t go to the movies. “The Moviegoer” uses still photography, documentary footage, and animation, and is a pleasing trip down memory lane.
Humorously, Munro’s film takes one through his childhood. It chronicles his attempt to find his niche in school, and we see montages of him (1) daydreaming about weekend cinema trips, (2) trying to fit in at sports (notably hockey), and (3) fantasizing about movies once again.
Using Animation and Doc Footage Together
Munro then takes us through a Saturday in the life of his younger self, including trips to the theater and more. The film also devotes time to young Munro idolizing fictionalized Venezuelan movie star ‘Carlota Vivas,’ who would go on star in American films. Munro shared Vivas was a stand-in for his adoration with movie star Raquel Welch, and “The Moviegoer’s” footage of the film “Kansas City Roller” was a direct homage to Welch’s roller derby picture “Kansas City Bomber.”
The scenes are fun and flashy, and hammer home Munro’s love of movies that would lead him to not only have a lifetime love affair with movies, but also want to make them.
Once again, Munro makes a very watchable film that is broken up between video footage and photography documentation of his childhood, and impressive animation. Munro’s journey through high school and film school I found the most informative, while a choreographed “fight” between he and his younger brother for an action movie he made as a child I found the most entertaining. Munro also speckles the film with sign-of-the-times Easter Eggs, such as “glowing” critic reviews of this child home video from fictionalized film critics, as well as sound effects that almost make it feel like a real movie.
As mentioned, the animation is really something. Directed by Munro (but created by Vancouver Animation and Illustrator Dylan Moore) the colorful, cartoon-like animation will literally jump off the page of movie books and newspapers young Munro looks through, as well as title cards that mimic the flashy style of the 1970s. There’s one particular sequence — as a young Munro attempts to sneak his way into an ‘R’ rated film — that is particularly effective.
Overall, a Nice Trip Down Memory Lane
Additionally, the film will feature shots of busy downtown streets, which Munro teases are actually shots of Times Square from a trip he took, that look moving and animated in nature, though they are not of the same ilk as his more cartoony shots. But the most impressive thing is the seamless nature of the film; Munro makes a movie that feels like a trip down memory lane. And with crisp editing that makes the transition between archival footage and animation virtually unnoticeable, it shows that Munro and team are definitely a force to be reckoned with in the editing department.
All-in-all, “The Moviegoer” is an apt piece of filmmaking from Ross Munro. It effectively brings you back to the thrill of going to the cinema as a child, when everything was big, bright, and unexpected. The animation and narration is pleasing, and the short mixes its archival footage and its invented sequences seamlessly. Adults that were children in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and even ‘90s will likely get the most out of it, as it brings them back to an era where streaming and in-home entertainment were not the norm. And at just under 19 minutes, it’s a nice trip down memory lane that is easily digestible and memorable.
*Note: “The Moviegoer” has currently been submitted to film festivals worldwide, and is not currently available for streaming. For more information on Munro’s work, you can follow him on Twitter @rossbrew, on Instagram @rosscrowe1, on Facebook facebookcom/ross.munro.184, and YouTube @Ross Munro.
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