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Oscar® Winner, Best Short Film (Animated), 1994

Bob's Birthday

1993 12 min
Leaving soon

When Margaret plans a celebration for her husband Bob, she underestimates the sudden impact of middle age on his mood. A witty, offbeat animated portrait of a frustrated dentist wrestling with the fundamental issues of life proves that birthdays (and surprise parties) can be very tricky indeed.

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This work contains scenes of nudity and/or sexuality. Viewer discretion is advised.
Bob's Birthday

Details

When Margaret plans a celebration for her husband Bob, she underestimates the sudden impact of middle age on his mood. A witty, offbeat animated portrait of a frustrated dentist wrestling with the fundamental issues of life proves that birthdays (and surprise parties) can be very tricky indeed.
This work contains scenes of nudity and/or sexuality. Viewer discretion is advised.
  • director
    Alison Snowden
    David Fine
  • script
    Alison Snowden
    David Fine
  • producer
    Alison Snowden
    David Fine
    David Verrall
  • executive producer
    Barrie McLean
  • animation camera
    Pierre Landry
    Lynda Pelley
    Raymond Dumas
    Robin L.P. Bain
  • sound editing
    Danuta Klis
  • animation
    Alison Snowden
    David Fine
    Janet Perlman
  • voice
    Andy Hamilton
    Harry Enfield
    Alison Snowden
    Andrew Maclachlan
    Tessa Wojiczak
    Sally Grace
  • re-recording
    Jean-Pierre Joutel
    Serge Boivin
  • music
    Patrick Godfrey

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Education

Ages 12 to 17
School subjects
Discuss differences in expectations between guests, wife and Bob. What holidays are experienced differently by some people, despite expectations of society? How to act when someone is sad? Activity: In groups, students each tell a story about something amusing that happened to them or someone they know. They make drawings, comic strips or collages. One person from each group tells his/her story to class. Discuss what makes a good storytelling performance and what visual art adds.
Bob's Birthday
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