Sadly we must report that our critically acclaimed short animated film “usm_highboard_m_rubinrot” will not be featured in the 2009 DOK Leipzig.

Apparently entries closed months ago and it would be unfair to allow our film into the competition at this late stage.

Those who have chosen a creative route through life, know that the road is long, hard and winds its way through valley’s of despair.

But that’s why we do it.

And so we go undaunted forward and our next USM Haller work is already production, which of course is the principle benefit of the modular system…..

usm_highboard_m_rubinrot ... soon at DOK Leipzig?

(click to play)

As a few you have noticed (and thanks for the mails by the way, always appreciated) we’ve been a bit quiet of late.

The reason for our absence was the development of our new short animated film: “usm_highboard_m_rubinrot”

Initially conceived as a simple animated tribute to the the role of the trouser press in the social history of lower-middle class England since 1067, the work proved to be little more complicated than first envisaged.

As one should really expect wth such a daring, genre-splitting, experimental work.

Focusing on one character, a ruby red highboard from Swiss designer furniture maker USM Haller, the film uses a series of rapidly interchanging images to create a post-cubist tribute to neat seams.

The film is now complete (click on the still to view a trailer), and we are hopeful that it will be included in the ANIMA Competition at the 2009 International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film – DOK Leipzig: Germany’s leading international festivals for artistic documentary and animated films and one of the most important in Europe.

smow and Vitra may not be providing the exquisite  Tom Vacs and Alcove Sofas for the media lounge this year, but DOK Leipzig remains one of the most important events in our cultural calender.

Who can argue with over 330 documentary and animated films over in seven days?

Ok we can, but then we can argue with walls, trains, tennis racquets and any other stubbornly inaminate objects.

DOK Leipzig is, however, always a warming ray of light in the darkening Leipzig autumn and never disappoints.

For those of you who can’t make it to Leipzig, we will be providing regular updates here and you can also follow events via the official DOK Leipzig twitter, facebook, myspace and vimeo services.

And should we win the coveted Gold Dove, we invite everyone to celebrate with us in Leipzig’s finest party location Horns Erben; where we promise to spend the entire 10,000 Euros prize money in one evening!