THE RETURN OF JOHN FRUM

John Frum, Messiah of polynesian Cargo Cults, returns as an astronaut and businessman to the postindustrial wasteland of the financial-service-economy. Together with a native, he sets out for a "conquest of the useless" � or something. then things get confused, and what begins as a journey turns into a trip far off the boundaries of so called "logic" and "meaning". With a storyline initially based on the prophecies of the seemingly most syncretic, ridiculous and pointless religion in the world � though really not any more syncretic, ridiculous and pointless than any and all other religions � computer-aided handdrawn 2D animation and 2D-3D-hybrid background art celebrate a renaissance of the unconscious, free from the technocratic structuralism of our times.

Reviews

From dekku.nofatclips.com:

This amazing short film, which would make an animation studio proud of their work, has actually been designed, directed and animated by one person, German student of design Christian Schlaeffer.

From Jason Sondhi, Short of the Week:

A really exciting independent student animation, creator Christian Schlaeffer managed to find the geek buttons hidden somewhere on my body and hit them so hard that they overrode my brain�which told me that this film makes no f�ing sense. I don�t think an explication of the underlying mythology helps much, and a primer from Schlaeffer website does only a little. Instead what we get is eye candy in a hyper-cool and stylized 7 minute piece that seems ripped from the subconscious of a hopped up hippy.

From MarBelle, Director's Notes:

Largely, the celebration of a piece of film focuses purely on narrative structure, which begs the question, if you have no clue what a film�s �about� can you truthfully say you liked it? Christian Schlaeffer�s animation The Return of John Frum is proof positive that you can.

From Aaron, Lineboil.com:

The Return of John Frum is Christian Schlaeffer�s thesis project from his studies at The University of Applied Sciences, in Augsburg, Germany. It�s an intricately-crafted, 7-minute opus set in a post-industrial world. We meet John Frum, who visits an abondoned office park and sets off on a journey with a native being. What happens after that, is perplexing and gorgeous.

From Stash Magazine:

�The Return of John Frum� is Christian Schlaeffer�s exceptional thesis from The University of Applied Sciences in Augsburg, Germany. You can almost see the blood, sweat and tears that Christian put in to this film, and we are absolutely blown away by the brilliance of this work and really excited for this young director�s future. Bravo Christian!

From Phathom.com:

Christian Schlaeffer� damn. I have no words. First you should know that its a bizarre head trip. And if you�re ok with that then you just have to watch this BIG and turn up the volume.

From Robert, RC Blog:

When I was watching Christian Schlaeffer�s thesis film, I could�t help but wonder what the hell was the creator taking when he made this. The film, while boasting some beautiful and religious imageries, is also insanely weird and bizarre, and at times quite gruesome too. Although I had no idea what I was seeing, I can�t stop watching it either .

From we-find-wildness.com:

�The Return of John Frum� is really something that you can�t miss if you like animations and short films.

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Comments

toggle Posted by digrifter 2012-01-26 01:24:53 Kudos Up Down

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Lost I am, yet oddly entertained...

toggle Posted by Shaggy 2011-10-23 02:21:58 Kudos Up Down

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It could of had some background music, it was a very quiet movie.

and the story was very slow and what is the story about. Your video needs more action.

where and why did u put a car in the movie in the snow?

toggle Posted by SingletonDora22 2011-06-05 01:54:54 Kudos Up Down

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Some time ago, I did need to buy a house for my corporation but I did not have enough money and could not order anything. Thank God my comrade adviced to try to take the

toggle Posted by CraigV 2011-05-07 05:27:07 Kudos Up Down

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Alright. I watched it. First reaction: WTF. Now: WTF.

But seriously, even though it was so oddball, I managed to follow it. It was enjoyable. I may just need to go back and watch it a few more times to understand it completely.

Good job. My attention is not usually held by animated works, especially ones without dialogue, but I did like this one (despite not fully understanding).

toggle Posted by tim_h 2011-04-14 22:58:02 Kudos Up Down

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I am personally a fan of films that are out there, off-the-wall, and (dare I say) nonsensical. I looked up the premise behind John Frum, and the story made a little more sense overall, but either way, I enjoyed it. Great job. I loved the animation style as well.

toggle Posted by veritaslibero 2011-04-08 20:14:03 Kudos Up Down

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Nice animation, but i can see no point in the story. Maybe I need to watch it second time. But I lack the desire.

toggle Posted by schlaeffer 2011-04-08 22:03:10 Publisher Kudos Up Down

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then this film is just not for you. that happens.

a lot of films are not for me. so be it.

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