If you haven’t read my interview with director Aisling Conroy, check it out here.

Also, check out the trailer below!

I love animation. Whether it’s 2D, 3D, CG, stop-motion, a blend of live-action and CG, or motion capture - I love it all. Animation allows for all kinds of creative expression that simply isn’t possible in real life. In some ways, I would describe animation as analogous to opening up the mind to abstract ways of thinking.

Now, don’t worry - I won’t be giving a TED Talk in this review. I’m simply setting the stage for the review and how wonderful I think BARDO is.

So, what’s BARDO about? Put simply, it’s about a woman who begins to question her urban lifestyle while visiting her grandmother. For the most part, the simple setup works. BARDO is only four minutes, yet somehow weaves a tale of years of partying & the life that awaits the young woman featured in the short through its non-linear narrative.

However, there is a big problem with this structure. Telling a story so complex in just four minutes leads to severe pacing issues and narrative problems that leave the viewer frequently confused as to what’s happening. Other than that, it’s astounding work, and Aisling Conroy certainly has a bright future ahead.

For animation fans, BARDO has a lot to enjoy. It reminded me a ton of Wolfwalkers, in that the style mimics hand-drawn animation with vibrant colors you can sit and stare at for hours. It’s some stunning art direction by Conroy and Alan Holly. Furthermore, the motion feels fluid and purposeful, almost like a dance.

Speaking of, the music is equally as stellar as the animation. There’s an abundance of hypnotic synths, powerful strings, and a hint of drums that drives BARDO’s story of a juxtaposition of parties in the city versus the serene nature of the countryside that is quite touching the more I think about it.

If you’re interested in an excellent 2D animated short with a lot to say, check out BARDO through the 2022 Tribeca Festival.

★★★★

BARDO is now screening as part of the 2022 Tribeca Festival. You can watch the short by purchasing an At Home Festival Pass for $150, an At Home Shorts Pass for $25, or a single At Home screening ticket for $15.

Until next time!

Thanks to Thomas Stoneham-Judge from Movies For Reel, Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, and Matthew Simpson for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!