| Keep in a Dry Place and Away from Children | |
|---|---|
 Cover to the 1999 EP release | |
| Directed by | Martin Davies |
| Written by | Martin Davies, Andy Brown |
| Production company | bolexbrothers |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 10 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Keep in a Dry Place and Away From Children is a 1998 short film by Martin Davies and produced by bolexbrothers. The film features a soundtrack by Pram, who released the music as an EP in 1999. Reception for the short was positive, with the film winning several awards at various film festivals.
Synopsis
The animated short centers on a baby that is half-human, half duck that becomes fascinated with a box of matches with the image of a swan imprinted on it that an adult left on the kitchen counter. As his toys watch, he breaks out of his crib and manages to discover in a cupboard, his wings, which had been taken away from him at birth. The baby grabs the matches and lights one, only for one of his wings to catch fire, plunging him into a sink full of water. His toys then spring into action in an attempt to rescue him, some destroying themselves in the process of trying to get to him. The baby manages to pull the plug, draining the water and inadvertently sending some of his toys down the drain. The baby is then shown motionless at the bottom of the sink except for a single hand twitch. A toy falls next to him and it's left ambiguous as to whether he survived the ordeal.
Awards
- Aspen Shortsfest, Special Recognition in Animation (1998)
- Berlin International Film Festival, Panorama Audience Award for Short Films (1998)
- Chicago International Film Festival, Silver Hugo for Best Animated Short Film (1998)
- Crested Butte Reel Fest, Gold Award for Animation (1998)
- Edinburgh International Film Festival, McLaren Award for Best British Animation (1998)
- San Francisco International Film Festival, Certificate of Merit in Film & Video - Animation (1998)
Soundtrack
- Space Siren
- Space Iron (Mouse On Mars Remix)
- Keep in a Dry Place and Away From Children
References
- "British animation at Shangri-La Plaza". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Mar 11, 2000. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- "The Reader's Guide to the 34th Annual Chicago International Film Festival". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- "Keep in a Dry Place and Away from Children". Film Tied. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- "Berlin International Film Festival: 48th". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- "Edinburgh International Film Festival". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- "SFIFF Award". San Francisco International Film Festival. Retrieved 24 January 2013.