As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the labyrinth of world cinema for decades, I must say that the announcement of “The Great History of Western Philosophy” by Aria Covamonas is nothing short of electrifying. Having witnessed the evolution of animation from the rudimentary to the breathtakingly sophisticated, I can confidently assert that this film promises to be a veritable tour de force on the 2025 festival circuit.

Miyu Distribution, a prominent distributor specializing in independent animations worldwide, has obtained “The Great History of Western Philosophy,” a highly anticipated debut film by Mexican creator Aria Covamonas. This captivating production is expected to make significant waves and become a notable contender in the animation festival scene of 2025.

In this animated meta-comedy, a digital cutout artist is employed by the Central Committee in the People’s Republic to produce a philosophical movie for Chairman Mao. Instead of following through with the task, the disheartened director abandons the project from the start, leading to a death sentence by firing squad issued by the enraged leader.

In a different turn of events, Mao’s ruthless methods of motivation don’t ignite the filmmaker’s passion, but rather, an intervention by Monkey and Pigsy from “Journey to the West” sparks the protagonist to embark on a voyage through the annals of Western philosophy, encountering some of its most influential figures along the way.

Drawing on Lacanian thought, this film explores the boundary between reality and our interpretation of it, as well as the impact language has on shaping human existence. Using Dadaist techniques like collage, a witty approach, and abundant irony, Covamonas delves into contemporary themes such as significance and personal identity.

Luce Grosjean, founder and president of Miyu Distribution, shares with EbMaster that Aria’s movie is a stunning artistic masterpiece,” said Luce. “I was captivated right away by the visuals, the vitality, the absurdity. The film holds its own against ‘Ubu, roi,’ it’s pure art and hilarious. We are confident that our familiar audience, the festival-goers, will adore it, and we eagerly anticipate embarking on this wild adventure with them.

The acclaimed series ‘Western Philosophy’s Grand History’ is brought to you by Mexico-based Fedora Productions. The main producers for this production are Lucia Cavalchini and Camilla Uboldi, with Pablo Baksht and Nicolás Baksht Somonte serving as associate producers.

Essentially, the movie is constructed from a complex mosaic of publicly available footage and sound, with every element thoughtfully selected to give it a surreal feel. Covamonas spent great care in creating each scene of the 73-minute production, producing approximately three seconds of footage per workday.

As explained by the movie’s creators, “The method used to produce this film was a gradual, thoughtful one. It combined the ridiculous with the personal, creating a cinematic impression that preserves fleeting ideas, symbols, and deep emotions. This allows viewers to delve into the subconscious mind directly.

Using this unique method, the director blends shape and narrative, using non-traditional storytelling to delve into complex dimensions. This work provokes viewers to question their perceptions, reality, and self-image, creating an immersive experience that transcends linguistic limitations and celebrates the shifting, vague essence of subconscious consciousness.

Covamonas’ unique and innovative short films have garnered praise at notable international film festivals such as Annecy (with “Hideouser and Hideouser,” 2019) and Sundance (“Socrates’ Adventures in the Under Ground”). Her first full-length feature, titled “The Great History of Western Philosophy,” marks her debut.

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2024-12-05 14:47