Totem

About This Movie

So, 'Totem' is quite the trippy piece from 1999, you know? It’s this animated exploration of our connection to animals, really plays with the idea of what that means. The pacing feels dreamlike—like you're gliding through different vignettes that almost float by. The sound design, courtesy of Bruce Odland, adds a whole other layer, making the visuals even more immersive. It’s definitely an unconventional take on animation; not your usual narrative structure but more of an atmospheric experience. You can feel the craft in the practical effects, and there’s a certain rawness that makes it distinct. It's not something you'd find in the mainstream, which is precisely what gives it character.

Unique animated exploration of animal relationshipsDreamlike pacing and atmosphereNot typical narrative structure, more vignettes