Anima
Synopsis
Anima, which means “soul” in Latin and is the root of the word animation, is from a series of works inspired by Renaissance paintings of figures against neutral backgrounds. The panels show three people who have been directed to express a series of emotions in a specific order—joy, sorrow, anger, and fear. Bill Viola shot the original footage of the complete emotional cycle in one minute; by slowing the speed of the video playback to 81 minutes and 30 seconds, he has made it nearly impossible to discern any movement, blurring the distinction between portraits made with still photography and those made with film. Through these portraits of three anonymous individuals, Viola both conveys the idea that time is eternal and addresses the notion of the changing self.
Release History & Theatrical Window
May 30, 2000
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Bill Viola
- Original Title
- Anima
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Bill Viola
Department Leadership Roster
Bill Viola
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Anima.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Anima
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Anima about?
Anima, which means “soul” in Latin and is the root of the word animation, is from a series of works inspired by Renaissance paintings of figures against neutral backgrounds. The panels show three people who have been directed to express a series of emotions in a specific order—joy, sorrow, anger, and fear. Bill Viola shot the original footage of the complete emotional cycle in one minute; by slowing the speed of the video playback to 81 minutes and 30 seconds, he has made it nearly impossible to discern any movement, blurring the distinction between portraits made with still photography and those made with film. Through these portraits of three anonymous individuals, Viola both conveys the idea that time is eternal and addresses the notion of the changing self.
Who directed Anima?
Anima was directed by Bill Viola.
Who stars in Anima?
The principal cast of Anima includes Not specified.
When was Anima released and how long is it?
Anima was released in 2000 with a total runtime of 1h 22m.