Dali plus Disney = Destino
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While these days everything Disney isn’t exactly perceived as cutting edge, things were different back in the day. Just think of gloriously creepy Fantasia and Pinocchio, both the fruit of Disney’s collaboration with Bauhaus painter Oskar Fischinger.
Disney intended to continue bringing in artists to further expand his studio’s horizons, and Destino was meant to be his next step in that direction. Salvador Dali thought very highly of Disney and cherished the project, completing for it 2 paintings at 135 sketches. A surrealist love story conceived and subsequently shelved in the 40s, Destino was finally unearthed, finished and released in 2003 on orders of Walt Disney’s nephew.
Update! If you’re in LA, you can see Destino for yourselves at LACMA through January 6. Thanks for the tip, 5000!
Though personally I would have preferred Dali traveled in time and worked with Peter Chung, this remains a fine testament to both Dali and Disney’s former glory. One more video beyond the jump.
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November 20th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
I would’ve loved to see what the original Disney animators could’ve done with this. I mean, I think the animators did a great job with interpreting it, and its definitely better than anything Disney has done in awhile. But it just would’ve been amazing to see this interpreted through the style of old Disney and all traditional animation. You know, the original vision. And yes, I think Peter Chung would’ve done an amazing job with it. I don’t know, its a bit jarring to see a rather modern Disney figure interacting with Dali’s art… but maybe its meant to be that way.
Aw, its stuff like this that made me want to be an animator. And its stuff like what Disney typically makes nowadays that made me become an illustrator… eh heh.
I wish they’d release this on DVD already. I mean, its been 3 years. Geeeeez. Maybe it is out and I just haven’t really checked into it for awhile.
November 20th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I saw this at the Dali Museum and was totally blown away. Far FAR ahead of it’s time.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Thank you for posting this, it’s extraordinary!
Oddly enough, I first became aware of Dali through a book on Disney films that mentioned the stillborn collaborations.
I agree that it could have benefitted from Peter Chung’s sinewy, spidery style, as the female character is somewhat blandly rendered.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I knew Dali’d worked on an idea und sketches, but hadn’t heard anything beyond that tid bit. DANKE for further enlightenment! These fragments alone are enough to put this on my best films of ze year list, und that’s saying something.
Also, I had ze privelige of standing face to face with a Dali sculpture in Spain, during ze Dali tour there. I was humbled und empassioned. Sadly, my camera was on ze fritz beginning that day und for ze remainder of said trip, but still, I remember it well enough without.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:13 am
Was previously unaware of this film but it looks wonderful, must see it. I love both of the Dali/Bunuel films, Un Chien Andelou and L’age D’or.
Also, Oscar Fischinger is freaking amazing. His Composition in Blue is one of the coolest animated short films ever.
November 21st, 2007 at 2:01 am
Amazing. The quality and fluidity of the animation is on par with some of Gainax’s works. It’s mind-blowing how a high-production animation can be so captivating and so haunting.
November 21st, 2007 at 2:09 am
Zoe, you might be interested to know Peter Chung is working on new Æon Flux material, and hopes to make something out of the best of the shorts and episodes: http://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=59&threadid=161#unread.
I wish they’d release Destino on DVD already.
November 21st, 2007 at 2:58 am
Red S: You’ve just made my… Week? Month? I’m a huge Æon Flux fan. Thank you!
Everyone: I agree – though some CG was used for Destino, I think they’ve done the absolute best they could. It’s unclear to me whether any footage was actually recorded in Dali’s day, so if anyone has that information, I’d greatly appreciate it.
Jerem: I know exactly how you feel – I visited a Dali exhibit in Paris twice now and it’s a major experience each time. He’s such an inspiration to me since early childhood!
Paul: I sort of wondered when I first saw her whether she was at all inspired by Æon, though that might have something to do with the leaping more than the actual character design.
Chesney: I can’t wait either! I’d love a DVD even id the film itself is short – I imagine it would be nicely loaded with trivia and documentary special features.
November 21st, 2007 at 3:41 am
Someone should make an entry about AF. ;)
November 21st, 2007 at 4:12 am
i did not like the finished version of Destino … I saw it in Modern Tate in London and the added animation was way to slick!!!!!! for me, it looked kind of cute … reminded me of monsters inc, I am only waiting until hollywood starts remaking silent movie classics, to make them better !!! … help me!
November 21st, 2007 at 11:39 am
Surprised to see no mention of the fact that Destino is playing as part of “Dalí: Painting and Film” at LACMA through January 6, along with a boatload of other work. The stuff from Hitchcock’s Spellbound is probably even more awesome.
And say whatever you want about the CG, if Dalí were alive today I’m sure he’d be all over it.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:53 am
5000!: Good meeting you the other day and thanks for the tip! Haven’t been to that exhibit here yet, will have to check it out. Second you on likelihood of Dali diggin’ the CG.
November 21st, 2007 at 11:41 pm
It looks like a love piece. But, honestly? I doubt it’s “Disney Material.” The little bits I’ve seen seem a bit frightening and not at all intended for children. I mean, they wouldn’t even let “The Little Matchgirl” into Fantasia 2000.