Trouble at' Mill
November 18, 2008 2:44 PM Subscribe
A Matter of Loaf and Death is the new BBC Christmas short from Nick Park and Aardman. In the mock murder mystery, Wallace and Gromit start a new bakery business, Top Bun. The short, Park's first since 1995, will introduce a new love interest for Wallace, Piella Bakewell, a bread enthusiast.
Commenting on the fact that the short will be made directly for a British audience, Nick Park said: "I don't feel like I'm making a film for a kid in some suburb of America — and being told they're not going to understand a joke, or a northern saying."
I could assure him that American kids can get these things just fine from context, as much as is necessary, and aren't bothered much where they don't. It's adults -- marketing executives and parents -- who are shy of too much foreignness.
posted by Countess Elena at 3:06 PM on November 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
I could assure him that American kids can get these things just fine from context, as much as is necessary, and aren't bothered much where they don't. It's adults -- marketing executives and parents -- who are shy of too much foreignness.
posted by Countess Elena at 3:06 PM on November 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
Sorry, LarryC... it's more of a heads-up and a link to Park's new site content.
posted by chuckdarwin at 3:10 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by chuckdarwin at 3:10 PM on November 18, 2008
"A Matter Of Loaf And Death" is an amazing title, but at first I thought this was a post about a new Meat Loaf album.
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:16 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:16 PM on November 18, 2008
Don't forget telltalegames' Wallace and Gromit's Grand Adventures . Point 'n' click 'em ups are the greatest.
posted by bookwo3107 at 3:21 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by bookwo3107 at 3:21 PM on November 18, 2008
Seconding LarryC's disappointment that this isn't a link to the film itself, but hey, whaddayougonnado? Nick Park and Aardman are huge favorites in this household (right up there on the family-viewing heavy rotation list with Pixar movies, early Fleischer Brothers stuff and Pee Wee Herman), so thanks for the heads-up, chuckd.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:46 PM on November 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:46 PM on November 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
...American kids can get these things just fine from context, as much as is necessary, and aren't bothered much where they don't.
I'd second that as well. Plus, whether a film's references are foreign or not, there are always lots of details and shadings and meanings in most any kid's movie that will go over kid's heads. Unless it's a film that's so (pardon the expression) dumbed down as to contain nothing beyond what a 3-year-old can immediately understand. I think it's good and only natural that children's films should contain things that they don't necessarily "get" right away. Especially these days, when we're talking repeated viewings on DVD. They slowly start getting it, bit by bit, and new avenues of interest and understanding open up for them in the process.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:54 PM on November 18, 2008
I'd second that as well. Plus, whether a film's references are foreign or not, there are always lots of details and shadings and meanings in most any kid's movie that will go over kid's heads. Unless it's a film that's so (pardon the expression) dumbed down as to contain nothing beyond what a 3-year-old can immediately understand. I think it's good and only natural that children's films should contain things that they don't necessarily "get" right away. Especially these days, when we're talking repeated viewings on DVD. They slowly start getting it, bit by bit, and new avenues of interest and understanding open up for them in the process.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:54 PM on November 18, 2008
I could assure him that American kids can get these things just fine from context, as much as is necessary, and aren't bothered much where they don't. It's adults -- marketing executives and parents -- who are shy of too much foreignness.
If this means the eventual death of dubbing in lieu of subtitles, America has a bright future, indeed. (next up, an end to those hideous domestic re-makes)
Also, I love me some Wallace and Gromit. Now I must tend to this sudden craving for cheese.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:09 PM on November 18, 2008
If this means the eventual death of dubbing in lieu of subtitles, America has a bright future, indeed. (next up, an end to those hideous domestic re-makes)
Also, I love me some Wallace and Gromit. Now I must tend to this sudden craving for cheese.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:09 PM on November 18, 2008
(Mr. Wentworth just told me to come in here and say that there was trouble at the mill, that's all - I didn't expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition!)
I also love me some Wallace and Gromit, and the prospect of a new short fills me with childlike glee. I say this as a man in his 30s who still rents Curse of the Were-Rabbit as an antidote to particularly crappy days.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:13 PM on November 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
I also love me some Wallace and Gromit, and the prospect of a new short fills me with childlike glee. I say this as a man in his 30s who still rents Curse of the Were-Rabbit as an antidote to particularly crappy days.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:13 PM on November 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
That's just grand!
(On the subject of needlessly dumbing down foreign kid's films, the mess made of dubbing early Studio Ghibli films is a particularly good example. Replacing atmospheric silence with music, making shy kids brash and noisy, adding pointless wisecracks, etc.)
posted by BinaryApe at 4:44 PM on November 18, 2008
(On the subject of needlessly dumbing down foreign kid's films, the mess made of dubbing early Studio Ghibli films is a particularly good example. Replacing atmospheric silence with music, making shy kids brash and noisy, adding pointless wisecracks, etc.)
posted by BinaryApe at 4:44 PM on November 18, 2008
My husband and I bonded early over W&G. Good to know we'll soon be seeing them again.
And hey, MeFi Ravelry types -- check this out. Cracking good.
posted by GrammarMoses at 4:49 PM on November 18, 2008
And hey, MeFi Ravelry types -- check this out. Cracking good.
posted by GrammarMoses at 4:49 PM on November 18, 2008
MOAR FOREIGNNESS. More layers too. The best kids' movies have both.
posted by Tehanu at 4:58 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by Tehanu at 4:58 PM on November 18, 2008
Oh, man, there is some genius stuff in the "Your Creations Winners Archive."
posted by GrammarMoses at 5:26 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by GrammarMoses at 5:26 PM on November 18, 2008
Anyone have a torrent yet?
posted by cjorgensen at 5:31 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by cjorgensen at 5:31 PM on November 18, 2008
Between this and the bunny jumping thread, my day is complete!
posted by Space Kitty at 6:08 PM on November 18, 2008
posted by Space Kitty at 6:08 PM on November 18, 2008
"I don't feel like I'm making a film for a kid in some suburb of America ...
My suburban american son loved the Wallace and Grommit shorts when he was growing up, I don't think that's a problem.
posted by octothorpe at 8:40 PM on November 18, 2008
My suburban american son loved the Wallace and Grommit shorts when he was growing up, I don't think that's a problem.
posted by octothorpe at 8:40 PM on November 18, 2008
When my then five-year old son first started watching Wallace and Grommit, he demanded I buy him some Stilton. He was crushed to find out he didn't like it, but considering this is a child who find pasta a bit too exotic for his tastes, I was thrilled that he at least wanted to try something new.
posted by bibliowench at 9:44 PM on November 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by bibliowench at 9:44 PM on November 18, 2008 [3 favorites]
I could assure him that American kids can get these things just fine from context, as much as is necessary, and aren't bothered much where they don't. It's adults -- marketing executives and parents -- who are shy of too much foreignness.
He doesn't need to be assured - it seems like he would agree with you. Read what he wrote again:
Commenting on the fact that the short will be made directly for a British audience, Nick Park said: "I don't feel like I'm making a film for a kid in some suburb of America — and being told [my emphasis] they're not going to understand a joke, or a northern saying."
Around the time that Dreamworks bought into Aardman, they apparently assured Parks that they just loved the local idiosyncrasies, and wouldn't have him change a thing. After the relationship ended, out came the stories of Katezenberg demanding more butt jokes.
posted by GeorgeBickham at 12:08 AM on November 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
He doesn't need to be assured - it seems like he would agree with you. Read what he wrote again:
Commenting on the fact that the short will be made directly for a British audience, Nick Park said: "I don't feel like I'm making a film for a kid in some suburb of America — and being told [my emphasis] they're not going to understand a joke, or a northern saying."
Around the time that Dreamworks bought into Aardman, they apparently assured Parks that they just loved the local idiosyncrasies, and wouldn't have him change a thing. After the relationship ended, out came the stories of Katezenberg demanding more butt jokes.
posted by GeorgeBickham at 12:08 AM on November 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
I'm glad to see Aardman recovered after the fire. Hope (and cheese) springs eternal!
posted by electronslave at 12:18 AM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by electronslave at 12:18 AM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
cjorgensen, there will be PLENTY of torrents after Christmas.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:14 AM on November 19, 2008
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:14 AM on November 19, 2008
After the relationship ended, out came the stories of Katezenberg demanding more butt jokes.
Which is why I disliked Flushed Away.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:15 AM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Which is why I disliked Flushed Away.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:15 AM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
I was expecting Piella to be some sort of caricature of Nigella...
It must be hard being Wallace, finding a reasonably atractive, mentally stable woman who also happens to like cheese seems to be an impossible task in his world.
posted by blogenstock at 1:37 AM on November 19, 2008
It must be hard being Wallace, finding a reasonably atractive, mentally stable woman who also happens to like cheese seems to be an impossible task in his world.
posted by blogenstock at 1:37 AM on November 19, 2008
some sort of caricature of Nigella
She's blonde, apparently.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:47 AM on November 19, 2008
She's blonde, apparently.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:47 AM on November 19, 2008
When my then five-year old son first started watching Wallace and Grommit, he demanded I buy him some Stilton.
At least he didn't ask for Stinking Bishop.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:48 AM on November 19, 2008
At least he didn't ask for Stinking Bishop.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:48 AM on November 19, 2008
When my then five-year old son first started watching Wallace and Grommit, he demanded I buy him some Stilton. He was crushed to find out he didn't like it . . .
Aww! After I was introduced to Monty Python at age eight or so, I pleaded with my mother to get me some Spam. She was kind enough to fry me a slice, but it went over about as well as you'd think.
posted by Countess Elena at 3:22 AM on November 19, 2008
Aww! After I was introduced to Monty Python at age eight or so, I pleaded with my mother to get me some Spam. She was kind enough to fry me a slice, but it went over about as well as you'd think.
posted by Countess Elena at 3:22 AM on November 19, 2008
Ah, but you put a slice of Stilton on a slice of Spam and put that between two slices of bread from Top Bun, and, well, that's just grand.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:50 AM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:50 AM on November 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
Nick Park said: "I don't feel like I'm making a film for a kid in some suburb of America — and being told they're not going to understand a joke, or a northern saying."
Good on you, Nick Park!
I loved Bloom County when I was a kid, and I didn't know a damned thing about 80's American politics. But I still enjoyed the strip, and through it I ended up learning quite a lot about all those political and cultural figures. And now, years later, it's like uncovering a gem when I read something that finally gives me insight into what exactly a particular joke was about ("Oh, THAT'S who Caspar Weinberger was!").
I feel the same way about the subtle British references in Wallace and Gromit. I'd rather have a rich picture of a culture and not pick up on all of it than have a bland setting that could be anywhere.
posted by cadge at 7:33 AM on November 19, 2008
Good on you, Nick Park!
I loved Bloom County when I was a kid, and I didn't know a damned thing about 80's American politics. But I still enjoyed the strip, and through it I ended up learning quite a lot about all those political and cultural figures. And now, years later, it's like uncovering a gem when I read something that finally gives me insight into what exactly a particular joke was about ("Oh, THAT'S who Caspar Weinberger was!").
I feel the same way about the subtle British references in Wallace and Gromit. I'd rather have a rich picture of a culture and not pick up on all of it than have a bland setting that could be anywhere.
posted by cadge at 7:33 AM on November 19, 2008
Cracking post, Gromit!
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:31 AM on November 19, 2008
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:31 AM on November 19, 2008
« Older Heroes | Do we really want that Moon base? Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by LarryC at 2:59 PM on November 18, 2008 [6 favorites]