“The Mechanical Dancer” is a feast for the eyes. This 2021 short crafted by filmmakers Josh & Jenna Jaillet channels classic horror from the silent era with its score and placards. The result is a captivating production and story presented in a mere 12 minutes.
A crazed inventor has designed a mechanical dancer for stage performance. Like Victor Frankenstein, he has an uncontrollable desire to perfect his creation. He is accompanied by an emo looking assistant akin to Igor, and the horror unfolds as he searches for a new act.
The animations in the short are mesmerizing, and immediately conjured memories of “Toe” and the visual impact it had. I would suspect Tim Burton also played an influence with the filmmakers.
The characters in the story have eyes and expressions that give them life. We can feel their pain, their fear, and their desires which is a testament to the production team: Josh & Jenna Jaillet, Steven Rodriguez, Allen Zaborski.
I love the modern animation being applied to a story that seems centuries old. There’s no spoken dialogue. Watching, you’ll forget that the movie is modern.
“The Mechanical Dancer” is a fantastic watch. It can work any time of the year and is safe for all ages.
Connect with the Filmmakers:
https://www.mechanicaldancerfilm.com
“The Mechanical Dancer” can be viewed on YouTube here.
