A Chairy Tale

It is perhaps illuminating to note that this amusing tale of an unnatural affection was made by two of Canada's most creative closeted homosexuals, Norman McLaren and Claude Jutra. The outcome here is a happy one, a union between man and chair.

"A Chairy Tale" was the closest that the great Norman McLaren ever came to a homoerotic film until he outed himself in his final effort, the quite overt "Narcissus", made in 1983, a gentle Canadian answer to the more confrontational works of the likes of Kenneth Anger and Derek Jarman.

This short is an extremely effective use of the stop-motion technique of animation blended with live action footage about a very determined chair and a young man who wants nothing more than to sit and read. I personally negotiated a deal with my chairs: if they perform some basic function, they can remain. If not, they either pay rent like I do or they leave. So far, it seems to be an equitable and acceptable arrangement for all concerned. Most recommended.

A man. and a chair. sitar. and tabla. and, sure, the genius of McLaren. result - at the first sigh - an amusing film. at the second sigh - a parable about relationship. or love. or friendship. the music is the axis. to the well known transition from stop-motion to the live action. for the amusing battle. for the roles of chair. for the persistence of man. for the crumbs of circus show. and, off course, for the joy who has as root the profound simplicity. so, the four - sitar, chair, man, tabla. and a great show. or just profound useful lesson.

A man approaches a chair to sit down but finds that the chair is unwilling to be sat on. The man persists and a difficult game of approach and withdraw begins.

Sometimes the simplest ideas make for very effect shorts. With one man and a chair in it's cast listing, this short is a wonderfully amusing little love story (of sorts). The film is basically a mix of stop animation with the live action of the male character. The chair effectively moves around the screen, jumping or running quite fluidly. At times the stop motion is very evident but it is surprisingly effective at times - I mean, I couldn't merge the real character with the animated chair, could you?

The actual tale of love is mostly hidden behind the simple, yet amusing action, however it is still meaningful. Everyone plays this sort of game or has done at some point; it may not amount to physically chasing a partner around the place but the essence is the same.

Overall this is quite an enjoyable little short. Its very basic and simple appearance and plot conceal, but don't totally hide a warm heart just under the surface.

White trousers, white shoes, dark socks!! No wonder the chair didn't want to be sat upon! Indeed for the first half of this clever drama, it totally rejects every effort made by this sartorially challenged guy to get his backside anywhere near it. Admitting defeat, the human tries a different tack. He just decides to sit on the ground and ignore the chair altogether. That seems to temporarily outmanoeuvre the now neglected and almost pouty seat, but soon hostilities, of sorts, resume and the antics of both man and furniture become more frenetic, as does Ravi Shankar's lively sitar score: but is anyone actually going to get a seat? This is an entertainingly (and magnetically?) staged war of attrition that whizzes through it's ten minute duration and it made me smile.