Reflective Encounters

“Cities of Ladies has a curious frame. A small white box surrounded by darkness. This could be used to express isolation, but it instead communicates humanity’s own lack of knowledge. Individually we all know very little, but the fact that we are together in our ignorance is a source of connection. The action of this short comes from shapes that are gradually drawn then just as quickly erased as the various voices of different languages wash over the soundtrack.

Images and sounds are ephemeral in this filmic space, conveying a gentle sense of constant motion. As the short goes on, the refrain of “be kind” becomes almost chant-like. The exclusive use of red brush strokes in the animation can at times resemble blood. Such imagery would normally be associated with horror and gore, but here blood comes to represent a shared life force that connects us all.”

— Cathy Brennan