Katedra (2002)

Director:

Tomek Baginski

Writers:

Tomek Baginski (writer)
Jacek Dukaj (novel)

Release Date:

24 March 2002 (Poland)

Genre:

Animation | Drama | Short | Sci-Fi

Plot:

An explorer visits what appears to be the ruins of a gothic cathedral. There seem to be some strange statues, though, whose faces follow him as he makes his way to the end; the sun comes out, and he stops at the edge of a cliff.

Plot Keywords:

Cathedral | Sun | Computer Animation | Light | Based On Story

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Jola Rzebuska	...	(voice)
Maria Kucharska	...	(voice)
Marcin Jaskowski	...	(voice)
Piotr Widlarz	...	(voice)

Also Known As:

The Cathedral (USA)

Runtime:

7 min

Country:

Poland

Language:

None

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | Dolby SR

Company:

Platige Image

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Right before the eclipse ends, stars look like lines instead of point, like on a picture taken over several minutes.

Movie Connections:

Edited into The Animation Show (2003)

Visually a treat, extraordinary CGI!

While having just the barest of a discernable storyline and no plot to speak of (at least not one that I could find), this matters not a whit in my eyes. This is a treat for the eyes, first and foremost, an absolutely breathtaking piece of work. This blows the "crowd" scenes in Gladiator away, though that is admittedly not a difficult feat to manage. I suspect that Gladiator had a larger budget for SFX alone than was spent on Katedra in its entirety and the lead in Katedra is likely more amiable and personable (if just as laconic) than the chap in Gladiator. Quite impressive, even if work done three or four years from now makes this look like a Model T compared to a Rolls. Nominated for an Academy Award and deservingly so. Most highly recommended.