Las Nogas

Las Nogas is a triumphant animated short bursting with ideas, charm, and heart. I had the privilege of seeing it at the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation, and Technology. But my intro to the film was months ago when I saw an image of Alma, the heroine, with her bright blue beak cruising on her camouflaged Vespa. From the moment I saw her distinctive and colorful character design, I had been waiting to see the film.

Set in a waterless future, the universe and characters Catya has crafted burst with color, texture, and detail. The film left me thinking about the ecological themes she's exploring but also had me marveling at the way she pulled it off. Catya created this entire universe, the puppets, and animated every frame of movement all by herself - a true feat even in the world of indie animation. It makes sense that before she started making films, she was a fine artist, doing whatever it took to bring her visions to life. And in Las Nogas, her vision shines in every detail, making the world feel special, thoughtful, and alive.

Do we need more films that confront the ecological challenges of our time? Absolutely. But we also need them to be as imaginative, lively, and charming as Las Nogas. I hope this short inspires a new wave of punk-rock, artful animated eco-epics. I can't wait to see the feature version she is working on now. Let's go, Catya!

Stop-motion Couture! An artists' imagination come to life! One of the best stop-motion films with a level of detail and craftsmanship I've ever seen! Most importantly, delivering a powerful message that we should all take to heart. Catya Plate, a wildly accomplished artist & true visionary, brings her hand-made, clothespin freak characters to life for her 3rd stop-motion short film, a prequel to her highly-anticipated, stop-motion feature film, Alma. Anyone who appreciates fine-art should watch this film. Catya Plate is an artist on-the-rise and I'm so excited to follow her journey as she continues to break barriers and spread positivity and important messages with her films!

I had the joy of seeing this film three times in a six month period, and I can confidently say that each viewing was as delightful as the last. "Las Nogas" is a true gem in the realm of stop-motion animated films, captivating audiences with its charming characters, vibrant visuals, and heartfelt storytelling. Every frame of this film is crafted with meticulous detail and artistic flair. The narrative is both touching and thought-provoking, exploring environmental themes in a refreshingly original way. With its richly imaginative setting and expertly executed animation, "Las Nogas" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the boundless creativity of its creators, Catya Plate.

If you love stop-animation, the environment (eco anything), and fantastical stories, this short is up your alley! From start to finish, the world Catya creates is colorful, vibrant and fantastic, and the story is heartwarming. It is part of a series of shorts, which are all equally fantastic. The songs can and will easily get stuck in your head, and you'll be humming them after watching, that's for sure! This short is wonderfully creative in all aspects, from the characters, to the creatures, and the sheer imagination of the world built. I think it's a wonderful close to the trilogy. I give it a 10/10.

I got to see Las Nogas at the Cucalorus Film Festival, and it was both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. The stop-motion is beautifully crafted and richly textured, as each character and set were meticulously detailed. The world of the film is rich and expansive. Halfway through, I lost my awareness that it was done in stop-motion because I was so immersed in the narrative. I can see why the film has had such rich success. It's accessible for all, but constantly surprised me, it's playful and fun, but with a serious and important message, and in the end it left me wanting more. I look forward to seeing what's next from this filmmaker!