Under the Apple Tree – Full Movie
Erik van Schaaik & PEDRI really have made a master piece of a film with this short film Under the Apple Tree. This short film gives us a new perspective of what its like to be a zombie. The artistry and design of the film is outstanding. There is a lot of compositing going on but this is to be expected with the scope of the environment in which the various characters occupy. The puppets look to be silicone constructed and the animation is top notch. Just take notice of the fabric movement and you’ll understand what i mean. This film is truly a work of art and we can’t wait to see what else the future holds for this director and his team.
Here’s a description of the production listed on Erik’s Vimeo page for this video:
A measly little worm finds himself homeless, for all the apples are taken by other worms. He’s an outcast in the stormy night, until he discovers the biggest apple of them all. It’s vacant and it’s… mobile!
Under The Apple Tree is an animated stop motion horror comedy about worms, apples and death. But also a film about family troubles. A film with a heart, although it might not be beating any more.
Awards: Golden Calf award for Best Short Film and Festival Favorite at the Netherlands Film Festival 2015 (NL). Best Animated Short at the Atlanta Horror Film Festival 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Animated Fantasy at the Dragon Con Film Festival 2016 in Atlanta (USA). Best Professional Film at Festival Stop Motion 2016 in Montréal (CA). Best Short at Eerie Horror Filmfest 2016 in Eerie (USA). Best Director at Eerie Horror Filmfest 2016 in Eerie (USA). Best Short NYC Horror Film Festival 2016 in New York (USA). Best Stop Animated Short Film at South African Horrorfest 2016 in Cape Town, (SA). Third prize Animfest Athens 2016 (GR). First prize at Animation Marathon 2016 in Romanso, Athens (GR). Best Horror U-Horror Fest, Los Angeles, (USA). A Wildcard (audience award) at Hellfire 2017, Folkstone (UK). Best Short and Best Feature at British Animation Film Festival BAFF, London (UK). Melies d’Argent for best European fantastic short film at Grossmann fantastic film & wine festival (SLV). Nominated for the Dutch Directors Guild Award 2016 (NL).
One of the most well-crafted stop-motion films we’ve seen. Deeply funny. (Skwigly Animation Magazine)
Imagine the Gruffalo with Zombies. (Grimm Up North)
The excellently told story is peppered with morbid humor, its archaic English voice-overs entirely in rhyme. (Netherlands Film Festival)
Quality storytelling, originality and personality of characters, great animation performance. (Festival Stop Motion Montréal)
A film worth freezing for. (Anchorage International Film Festival, Alaska, USA)
18 minutes of macabre delight, this short should be every child’s first horror experience (The Ink And Code)
A brilliant stop-animated short giving a new spin on the zombie theme. (South African Horrorfest)
The attention to detail throughout the film is exquisite, it’s beautifully crafted and the story is brilliant and ingenious (…) I would love to see Under The Apple Tree developed into a feature film. (Atomic Age Renegades)
Quality, humor and exuberance. (Melies.org)
Griezelig, geestig en met grote liefde voor het horrorgenre gemaakt. (Trouw)Copyright 2015 Pedri Animations / Erik van Schaaik Productions
Watch the full movie below on Vimeo:
Under The Apple Tree – full movie from Erik van Schaaik on Vimeo.
