Polar Bear Bears Boredom - Short Animation - Japan

A polar bear who is very bored with various marine animals in the deep blue sea.
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It continues an ancient tradition of "Caricatures of Frolicking animals" in scroll painting-style; this time, "Frolicking Sea Animals," in animation form, with a play on Japanese and English language word-plays: "Hokyoku-Guma Suggoku Hima. / Polar bear bears boredom", "Kawauso Kawaisou. / Other otter, poor otter," etc.

Born in 1964, Koji Yamamura started working on animated films as an amateur, at the age of 13.

During the 1990s, he explored various styles and techniques while working mainly on films for children. Nominated at the Oscars for Best Animated Short, "Mt. Head" marked a turning point, leading him to join the world’s most renowned animation filmmakers.

His major works since include "The Old Crocodile" (2005), "Franz Kafka’s A Country Doctor" (2007) and "Muybridge’s Strings" (2011). His films were awarded with more than 100 prizes, including Grand Prizes at the four most important international animation film festivals: Annecy, Zagreb, Ottawa and Hiroshima.

Director Koji Yamamura

​He has been part of many international juries, and has held numerous retrospective screenings around the world. He has been selected as the 2 place at 25 top short animated films directors over the last 25 years in 2021 at Animac, the International Animation Showcase of Catalonia. He was rewarded with the National Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2019. Koji is a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. and Professor at the Tokyo University of the Arts.

Director Statement
His project is inspired with the Japanese picture scroll in the 12 to 13 century: Bird and Beast Character Caricature. Marine animals spread out in world ocean. Using the short rhythm of the poem, you will enjoy the various sea animals' thoughts and life. This rhyme verse in both English and Japanese at same means and this film is continued in one scene and one cut for 7 minutes.

#AniFab judge's aggregate score is 7.3 out of 10 with one stating, "a stylistic journey to visit the Polar Bear Bears Boredom.  Fantastical and whimsical, and quite delightful."