Sunday Short Theatre – A Puff Before Dying (2021)

Earlier this year at SXSW Film Festival one of the strangest shorts made it’s premiere, today it’s your Sunday Short Theatre choice.  Would you believe it’s also meant to be a genuine PSA (public safety announcement )?! Whatever it is, if you adore Team America, you’ll dig this…Honest (we’re not smoking anything, cough, cough).

A Puff Before Dying is a 10 minute stop animated short from Michael Reich and Mike Pinkney. Apparently this is a real advert, however there is no info on it as in regards of the ‘message’ of the announcement. It makes you wonder if anything it’s a spoof/ parody of the ‘more serious’ ads.

This is absolute nuts and will offer plenty of WTF moments, as this doesn’t hold back. Hard to fathom in a way this plays like a coming of age story  with marijuana. When officer Davis offers advice to his daughter, warning her against substance use and excessive partying. Who happens to go on a wild night joyriding with 2 other friends under the influence, a night that ends in tragedy.

Some absolute amazing use of puppetry and as I mentioned earlier it doesn’t hold back. When the ‘accident’ happens, you everything. Highly creative and funny or not be careful don’t drive and smoke.

When marionettes mix with marijuana, a joy ride becomes their last ride.

The voice cast includes Annie Mebane, James Kirkland, Lola Blanc, Tashi Condelee, along with one of the directors Michael Reich.
Source: Short Of The Week