Stop-Motion Animation Captures Pandemic Hug Awkwardness
Award-winning Swedish director Anna Mantzaris has created a stop-motion short film for the British charity The New Normal, which provides psychological support to people struggling due to the health emergency. The animation depicts a young man returning home for the holidays, greeted by his elderly parents. Father and son awkwardly attempt various pandemic greetings—fist bumps, elbow touches—before finally embracing in a warm, liberating hug. The film, under a minute long, poignantly illustrates the effects of social distancing on interpersonal relationships. It was released around the recent Christmas season, reflecting the widespread longing for physical contact during the pandemic.
Key facts
- Anna Mantzaris directed the stop-motion short film.
- The film was created for the British charity The New Normal.
- The New Normal provides psychological support to people affected by the health emergency.
- The animation shows a young man returning home for the holidays.
- His elderly parents greet him with awkward pandemic gestures.
- The gestures include fist bumps and elbow touches.
- The film culminates in a warm embrace.
- The short is under one minute long.
Entities
Artists
- Anna Mantzaris
Institutions
- The New Normal