The House Of Small Cubes

The House Of Small Cubes is a nostalgic short film by Japanese animator Kunio Katô that uses water and multi-story houses as metaphors. It features one main character, a staging in a flooded town and a subjective trip through time.

The film uses smooth camera moves and slow-paced visual rhythm within the frame, in sync with music. Most of the visual rhythm is achieved through editing. A conflict with the environment is presented initially but this is diluted towards the middle of the film.

The House Of Small Cubes makes interesting use of objects and environments as elements for triggering flashbacks and helping the main character relive important moments of his life, and his loved ones. A painterly aesthetic is employed, with color palettes that help identify flashbacks and the present.

The attention to sound and effective use of sensory images is also worth noting.