The Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is a short film directed and animated by Canadian artist Kevin Parry that deals with temptation and greed. It was created during his studies at Ontario-based Sheridan College using stop motion technique.

Staged in a natural environment, the short uses a cyclic structure and features one main character that encounters an object with supernatural qualities.

Highlights of The Arctic Circle include its very creative staging, sense of humor (title cards from the silent era included), the expressive capabilities of the main character, which greatly help in transmitting his conflict, the sound design and the use of a supernatural theme.

Even if it’s a stop motion film and cameras are forced to remain static, the short makes effective use of various cinematographic devices, such as depth-of-field and close-ups for dramatic effect. The story seems to be related to the Greek myth of king Midas.