Drop what your doing right now and watch this new and fantastic short film, created by Beth David and Esteban Bravo for their Ringling College of Art and Design program.
This film gained a huge following since its release on July 31, soon trending at least #2 on YouTube. As of this article it has 12 million views.
The description of their film reads, "A closeted boy runs the risk of being outed by his own heart after it pops out of his chest to chase down the boy of his dreams."
After Sherwin's heart finds Jonathan, and an awkward shuffle to get it back, the heart escapes and enters the school as the doors close behind him. Sherwin's heart happily finds Jonathan's cheek. Terrified and embarrassed Sherwin tries pulling the heart away, but with tiny hands the heart clings to Jonathan in the tug-of-war.
Jonathan pieces together the crush. A few kids gather giving subtlety judgmental looks. Sherwin finally pulls his heart back, but only by breaking it in half.
Outside the school Sherwin sits with his broken heart by a tree, and to his panic Jonathan sits with him. He returns the other half of his heart, and it gets its animated face back. The heart glows as the film comes to an end, but not before Jonathan's heart glows in return. The feelings are mutual.
This short film appeares as polished as any Pixar or Dreamworks 3D film, with detailed textures, full backgrounds, and of course wonderfully glossy eyes.
One thing that stands out is Sherwin's lovably exaggerated facial expressions. He also shows a wide variety of emotions while his simple heart was either joyful or sad. It was a great way to show the simplicity of a crush, and how a crush itself is often a source of happiness and excitement, despite the fear surrounding it.
Another, perhaps obvious, thing to point out is the importance of the content of the film. Too often are same-sex couples and crushes seen as "adult" just by existing. It doesn't help that the LGBT community in general is overly sexualized. This film beautifully emphasis the innocence of young crushes, that yes, are sometimes gay.This film in its popularity will hopefully find the young people who need it the most.
These young animators have a clear talent and I'll be excited to see what they'll be creating in the future. Any animation studio they apply to would be lucky to have them.
