October 29th, 2014: Subversive themes of kidnapping, child labour, confinement, doppelgangers and secret plans have served as standard story obstacle fare in big budget Hollywood blockbusters for decades. Dark brooding turns by A-listers in escape and survival scenarios are encouraged and even expected when attached to helmers like John McTiernan, James Cameron, Ridley Scott and the likes. But, one doesn’t expect this level of depth playing out in a four minute short of the stop-motion variety. But that’s just what Co-Directors James Stewart and Nev Bezaire deliver in this eerie thriller FOXED!
We are pretty sure that the beautiful ginger- haired little Emily (Athena Karkanis), who could be tardy at times, had a warm and loving relationship with her Mom (Fiona Highet). And for all intents and purposes to her mother, she still does. Two worlds will soon collide; one an idyllic family home scenario playing out and the other an escape from a subterranean child labour mine. As the story begins we find Emily, not up in her cozy Cinderella bedroom or as mothers little helper in the kitchen but, alone, cold, tired and scared deep in the bowels of a cavernous Blue Goo mine below her house. Which begs the question, what type of home environment did Emily really have? With pick axe in hand Emily hacks away at rocks always mindful of her surrounding and the freedom she so desperately seeks. An unguarded door is Em’s one chance at freedom and she takes it. With patrolling foxes abound she stealthily makes her way through the labyrinth of corridors up some stairs to a two-way mirror. Seeing her mother on the other side of the window she believes she has made it . . . or so it seems.
Trailer for Foxed! on TrailerAddict.
This Alice Not In Wonderland allegory exposes a bizarre narrative that is perfectly suited for the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Directors Stewart and Bezaire parallel disturbing themes of isolation while still maintaining the matriarchal bonds between mother and daughter. Alternate realities and an ongoing fox mystery that begs to be continued is part of its charm.
Verdict: 4.0 / 5: Don’t let the Saturday morning cartoony feel fool ya, FOXED! is a disturbing little gem worthy of a full feature treatment. The strong animation team lead by Chris Pounds is the life blood that gives this story a dreamy surreal feel. Beautifully shot with an emotional currency that resonates, James Stewart and Nev Bezaire have got something here and the accolades from the festival circuit serves as further validation. Let’s hope there is much more where this came from.
These foxes are the dark side of domestication.
Genre: Short, 3D Stop-Motion Animation
Country: Canada
Language: English
Year: 2013
Co-Director: James Stewart, Nev Bezaire
Writer: Nev Bezaire
Producer: James Stewart
Co-Producer: Kennedy Zielke, Chris Pounds, Sean Harvey
Director of Photography: Sean Harvey
Production Co: Geneva Film Co.
Lead Animator: Chris Pounds
Puppet Fabricators: Brenda Baumgarten, Mike Emiglio
Set Design & Construction: Kevin Edgell, Paddy Jordan-Higgins
Website: http://www.foxedmovie.com/
Runtime: 4 minutes
Premiere: Opening Gala Short
Cast: Fiona Highet, Athena Karkanis
