Alter Egos

Below is a short NFB film by Oscar-winning animator Chris Landreth called Ryan. The film is based on the life of Ryan Larkin - a highly regarded Canadian artist who produced some of the most influential animated films of his time. I watched many of Larkin’s short animations as a child and they always fascinated and stimulated my developing thought in ways I can only now vaguely understand. Larkin's work was influential at a time when I was just becoming aware of my own intellectual/artistic inclinations.

The film is an incredible look into the amazing and nightmarish life of one of Canada’s pioneering artists. Through computer-generated characters and colorful symbolism Landreth reveals Larkin's downward spiral from award-winning animator to his current existence as an alcoholic panhandler walking the streets of Montreal.




Next is a film called Alter Egos. The films picks up where Ryan left off, by delving deeper into the tale of Larkin’s descent and the fascinating relationship that developed between Larkin and Chris Landreth after the making of Ryan. Using excerpts of both men’s Oscar-nominated works, this film is a poignant study of artists, addiction, creativity and human frailty.