Identity and belonging are the key themes of filmmaker Paris Baillie‘s incredible animated short Humantis. The experimental stop-motion film uses mystical praying mantis-like creatures as a vessel to symbolize a universal human experience of denial and transformation. Humantis made its World Premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and won the jury award at AFI Fest.

A Journey Through Experimental Stop Motion

Humantises, a praying mantis/orchid hybrid with human-like capabilities to feel emotion, are masters of deception. They move around the world in a cluster. All looking, acting, and moving the same. However, when one rogue humantis begins to unintentionally change color, its outward difference is met with shame and embarrassment. It struggles to blend in and finds itself an outcast. It’s only when the humantis meets a similar-looking creature that it realizes there is no point trying to hide from this inevitable change. Embracing the transformation, the humantis eventually learns its otherness is beautiful and something to be proud of.

The Beautiful Humantis World

The craft behind Humantis is excellently produced. In addition to the mesmerizing stop-motion animation, the film is without dialogue. Only the score and sound design aid the film’s sonic journey. This decision to forgo any language is always a calculated risk, and in this case, it most definitely serves the film for the better. The choreography is admirable as well, a delicate art form that Baillie masterfully succeeds in directing.

Takeaway

Humantis is a beautiful arthouse indie film that may be short but packs a big message. It’s an impressive feat for Paris Baillie, who is not only credited as director and writer, but also composer, editor, and cinematographer.