httpvh://vimeo.com/89046078
MEND AND MAKE DO, an animated short by Bexie Bush, tells the heartfelt story of a love life lived without regret. The film presents elderly narrator Lyn’s life in an amusing, sentimental and touching fashion, constantly reminding the viewer that everyone was young once. Behind every face and wrinkle there is a life lived, and a thousand more stories to tell. Life should be lived, as youth is fleeting but deep emotions, love and happiness are eternal in the memory.
“Whatever comes in life, I will accept and enjoy it”.
Lyn’s words also tell us something else. She talks of making a dress out of a curtain, of using gravy browning on her legs to fake stockings and of a first kiss — “but at least he didn’t put his tongue down me throat”! This all serves to remind us that Lyn is not so different from the girls of today. Perhaps more innocent, but nonetheless concerned with the same universal things — impressing a boy and looking her best. It serves as a wonderful testament to the continuity of life and our connection to the past – this despite her exclamation that there is “no embarrassment today” regarding sex.
The director Bexie Bush mixes-in stop frame animation with great effect, enhancing Lyn’s words and reinforcing a moving story well. The shadow play between her and her husband is neatly told and heartfelt, a shadow the perfect allegory for her husband. The teapot as a train is extremely funny, as is the door in Vince’s face. Best of all, however, are the final words from Lyn: “Whatever comes (in life), I will accept and enjoy it”. A mantra for us all perhaps …
MEND AND MAKE DO screens at Cambridge Film Festival as part of the BELOVED short film strand on 2nd Sep at 11am and 5th Sep at 22.15. Also showing in this strand is CANCER HAIR – see the trailer below.