This film is part of Free

Lautrec

If anyone can bring Henri Toulouse-Lautrec’s sketchbooks to life, Geoff Dunbar can-can

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1974 6 mins

Overview

From crapauds to can-can dancers, this short animation inspired by the sketchbooks of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec is full of life. Co-funded by the Arts Council it was Geoff Dunbar’s first independent short after nearly two decades in the animation industry. In doing so he was assisted by some animators of remarkable talents, Oscar Grillo, Ginger Gibbons, Jill Brooks and Len Lewis.

Geoff’s following film Ubu (1978) based on Alfred Jarry’s play, would blow many audiences socks off, including ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. This lead to a number of animated collaborations between the musician and artist in the following decades, most famously Rupert and the Frog Song (1984).