Jun 3, 2022

Get to Know Indie Filmmakers Sean Buckeye

In this series, we present some of the most interesting independent animation artists working today. Through their short films and other projects, these artists are changing the way we think about what is possible in this medium.

This week's topic is American animator Sean Buckeye. His visually understated body of work often explores our complex relationship with technology.

In one paragraph: Backew's work has an understated, almost somber, realistic look. Like David Lynch in Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet, Buckkew lures the viewer into a relatively bland and recognizable world and then throws us off track. Using a dry, dark sense of humor and an often disinterested and uncritical perspective, Backkew's work explores the strangeness of human relationships and, more specifically, our often dangerous and disturbing reliance on technology to mediate our world.

Where to Start: Another (2013). Buckleyew's student film is a deceptively simple and utterly bizarre hypnotic tale of a bear who kills a man and moves in with the man's wife and children. The story is freewheeling and straightforward, but open to interpretation. Is it a story of domestic abuse, a formerly kind father turned bear, a boy and his mother accepting a bear out of desperation and fear, or an absurdist piece about what would happen if a bear lived in a human marriage? ...... Bucklew's elliptical narrative and tightly framed shots create an enigmatic and unsettling setting that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Next to watch: Love Streams (2017) A rather sad but appropriate little tale of the good and the bad of trying to find meaningful love in a virtual world.

Other major works: “American Dream” (2014), “Hopkins & Delaney LLP” (2016), “I'm Not a Robot” (2019)

Influences: Chris Sullivan, Laura Poitras, Terrence Malick

says: “Ideas for me usually start with something really simple, like a single image or interaction. It also helps that many of my ideas are rooted in the real world, so it's easy to pull details straight from experience and observation.”

Currently working on Backeu's latest short film, “Drone” (2022), has just begun screening at film festivals. It can be seen in Annecy at the end of this month.