The Meaning of Life (2005)

The evolution of humanity, through countless eons.

Director:

Don Hertzfeldt

Writer:

Don Hertzfeldt

Stars:

Murwarid Abdiani, Jaden Alexander, Lance Anderson

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Murwarid Abdiani	...	(voice)
Jaden Alexander	...	(voice)
Lance Anderson	...	(voice)
Karin Anger	...	(voice)
Laura Basler	...	(voice)
Kareen Battle	...	(voice)
Ross Beeley	...	(voice)
Margot Bercy	...	(voice)
Wendi Bergamini	...	(voice)
Wendy Campbell	...	(voice)
E. Simon Cavazos	...	(voice)
Dotty Chasse	...	(voice)
Stephanie Comer	...	(voice)
Kenneth Cook	...	(voice) (as Kenneth J. Cook)
Linda Cook	...	(voice)

Storyline

The evolution of humanity, through countless eons.

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Plot Keywords:

atom | molecule | creature | galaxy | alien | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Drama | Music | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Смысл жизни

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bitter Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Don Hertzfeldt single-handedly animated and photographed tens of thousands of drawings for the film, over the course of four years.

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Quotes

Child Alien: Dua mazato. Lazra pumbo vumo bela. Meaning of life?
Dad Alien: Bah! Meaning of life.

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Crazy Credits

No computers were used in the animation or photography of this motion picture.

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Connections

Edited into The Animation Show 2005 (2005)

User Reviews

So beautiful I cried....

"Life is a comedy to those who think, and a tragedy to those who feel."

That proverb's the best way I can summarize this animated short. It's not often that movies get me misty-eyed and it's never happened before with anything animated. But the combination of color, movement, wit, intelligence, music, and pure beauty on display here made me happy beyond words and indeed, to tears.

Prepare to be overwhelmed. It's 12 wild minutes of paradox, puzzle and happiness. You can drink it all in and bliss out like a 4 year old, yet have deep philosophical conversations about it with your friends for hours.

I've been enjoying Don Hertzfeldt's films for years, but this is his crowning masterpiece (so far) and it's unlike anything he's ever done before. As far as I'm concerned, Hertzfeldt is the most exciting talent working in animation today. Who'd have ever guessed that the master of stick figures would pull off a piece so well-crafted that it might not have been out of place coming out of the Disney Studio, circa 1955? Fans of Hertzfeldt's popular, more comedic films (like REJECTED or BILLY'S BALLOON) are in for a totally different variety of genius here. Hertzfeldt probably could have made a fortune doing REJECTED sequels for the rest of his life, but the sign of a true artist is somebody who keeps on taking huge risks, pushing the envelope, and taking things in entirely new directions.

I have no idea where Hertzfeldt will take us next, and I for one can't wait!