The term “art film” is bandied about a lot in the film world. It usually is used to describe independent films, ones that don’t reach a mass audience. The Grand Bizarre is 100% an art film, as it eschews linear plot and storytelling for repeated animated patterns made of fabric.
Director Jodie Mack, known for her animations, is clearly trying to send a message in this sixty-minute piece. However, what she is truly trying to say is anyone’s guess. Is this about the plague of global consumption? An indictment on cultural materialism? It is truly anyone’s guess, and Mack doesn’t offer any answers. Only patterns. Patterns and patterns and patterns in various configurations.
There are rugs gone rogue, carpets acting on their own volition, and recurring use of alphabets and maps throughout. This is all set to an equally incoherent soundtrack of bird chirps, traffic noises, ringtones, and the incessant clacking of sewing machines. Mack’s DIY style is impressive, but the lack of a clear, identifiable narrative may be off-putting for the casual moviegoer. It can be seen as a presentation of textiles and fabrics around the world (Mack filmed in fifteen different countries over half a decade), but it is still unclear. A strong optional purchase.