“Beyond Noh“ Masks of our world (Excerpt) Animation by Patrick Smith

Excerpt from “Beyond Noh“ an animated film that rhythmically animates thousands of individual masks from all over the world, beginning with the distinctive masks of the Japanese Noh theater and continuing on a cultural journey through ritual, utility, deviance, and politics. Beyond Noh is a film that brings worldwide cultures together. Whether used in ritual, for protection, performance, or simply for fun, masks have many meanings in human society. Animated from 3,475 individual masks and touching on politics, gender, religion and consumerism, this rhythmic film uncovers similarity in our diversity. Director Bio: Patrick Smith is known for his metaphorical hand drawn short films, as well as his experimental stop motion films. His formative years were spent as a storyboard artist for Walt Disney, and animation director for MTV. Smith is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and a fellow of the New York Foundation of the Arts. Official Selection: Tribe