Pumpers

About This Movie

So, 'Pumpers' is this quirky little animation from 2016 that really leans into the oddity of gym culture. The thing that caught my ear was how it's built around baby sounds, which gives it a playful yet surreal vibe. The animation is short but packs a punch, using exaggerated movements and expressions that highlight the strange rituals we engage in at the gym. It’s almost like a satirical take on fitness obsessions. The pacing is brisk – it doesn't linger too long on any one joke, which keeps it lively. You can tell it’s part of the NFB’s Hothouse program; there's this experimental spirit that runs through it. Definitely an interesting piece to have in a collection focused on animation and sound design.

Short runtime, great for quick viewings.Interesting use of sound design.Part of NFB's Hothouse apprenticeship series.