Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married? (1992)

"Are We Still Married" is the second film from the Quay Twins's "Silent Night" film franchise. There are a whole of 5 films I believe. In my opinion, this was not intended as scary as the first, but more fantastic in the sense of the genre. The cuddly toy rabbit and the girl's legs reminded me of "Alice in Wonderland" for a reason. At 3.5 minutes, it runs roughly twice as long as their first and it is also in black-and-white just like the first entry. Early on, the crying eye was an interesting way to start the film, but things went south fairly quickly after that. All in all, I must say it seems that the Quay's animation style is not really my preferred choice and as whole I do not recommend this movie.

Being in the mood to wrap up the week with the viewing of an animated title,I decided that it would be the perfect time to view a short on a DVD that a DVD seller had kindly given me on my Birthday.The plot:A white ball goes around a number of puppets and turns into a white light.As the white ball/light starts to bring the puppets to life,a young girl and a rabbit begin walking on walls.View on the film:Backed by a shimmering score from His Name Is Alive,co-writers/directors Stephen and Timothy Quay expertly use worn out black & white colours to create a hauntingly faded atmosphere,with the Quay also giving the title an unexpected somber feel,by dipping their toes into Alice's warped Wonderland.

Spoilers herein.I have a more robust comment over on the `Films of the Brothers' page. This is one of 11 films on the DVD. It and its sequel, `Can't Go Wrong Without You,' are the very best of that collection. They are the most personal, based on reverse kabbalah and Alice in Wonderland, and I think the most accessible.I have never been so visually stimulated as in these two 3-4 minute films.Ted's evaluation: 3 of 4 -- Worth Watching

This is some of the Quay brothers best work. Mavericks of modern stop-motion animation, the Brothers Quay deliver a powerful and creepy vision of lost innocence in this all-too-short short film. The music -by the band His Name Is Alive- is mournful and creepy, and accentuates the somber black and white imagery in a world of dolls, broken toys, and decay. The characters flutter and jerk with unnatural movements while a normally inanimate objects hover and vibrate around them. To try and explain what is happening specifically in this film would be next to impossible, must be see to be believed. This film, as well as all Quay Brothers works, is recommended for anyone who enjoys surrealism or avant-garde film, particularly with a taste for corrosion. For other similar but more light-hearted works, check out the work of Czech animator Jan Svenkmeyer, who was a big influence on the work of the Quays.