Words on Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

January 31, 2012

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore/Image via Moonbot Studios

Books. Animation. A touch of “The Wizard of Oz.” The result? The incredibly charming, wonderfully captivating “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore,” the debut release of Moonbot Studios. The film, directed by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, has already garnered myriad awards from various film festivals around the country, but last week it was announced that it’s up for the holy grail of recognition: The Oscar.

“Morris Lessmore” has taken up company with “Dimanche/Sunday” by Patrick Doyon, “La Luna” by Enrico Casarosa, “A Morning Stroll” by Grant Orchard and Sue Goffe, and “Wild Life” by Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby in the category for Best Animated Short Film for the eighty-fourth annual Academy Awards, airing live on February 26. “We made Morris Lessmore with passion, sweat and every nickel we could rub together,” said Joyce. “To see it embraced by the Academy is the biggest smile imaginable.”

So where did the story begin? Director and writer Joyce had as his mentor HarperCollins publisher William Morris. Joyce was en route to visit Morris when he first wrote the story, and showed it to Morris upon his arrival; Joyce’s trip preceded Morris’s death by only a few days. The film tells the story of Morris Lessmore, a man who has lived a life devoted to books. When gale-force winds come swooping in Oz-style picking up Morris, carrying him along, and then plunking him down in a brand-new land that is home to a library of animated books, he slips naturally into the role of their caretaker. The inspiration for the character of Morris Lessmore is simply too clear to ignore, and one might feel compelled to wonder if the short is a sort of homage to the late Mr. Morris.

The fifteen-minute film was made using a combination of techniques, including miniatures, computer animation, and 2-D animation, and is, ultimately, a celebration of books that “speaks to their preciousness and … that they’re endangered,” said Joyce. Is it ironic, then, that the film’s creative team has also created and marketed a successful accompanying app? Hardly, as one must keep up with the changing times even when making an effort to preserve a tradition.

Still, one must wonder: What kind of cultural commentary can a film company realistically assemble in a fifteen-minute animated film? “The Fantastic Flying Books” answers that question, with poignancy, charm, intelligence, and whimsy. Want a sneak peek? Check out the captivating trailer here.

Tags: 2012 Academy Awards, Animation, Brandon Oldenburg, Moonbot Studios, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, William Joyce, William Morris