Director: Dash Shaw
Actors: Jason Schwartzman, Lena Dunham, Reggie Watts, Maya Rudolph, Susan Sarandon
Format: DVD, BLU-RAY
Region: Region 2
Classification: 15
Release Date: 5 Feb. 2018
Licensed By: Manga Entertainment UK
The high school newspaper certainly isn’t the topic of conversation amongst its students. With no support, admiration, interest or readership, the media and its publishers are overlooked by all. Wanting to grab the attention of the entire student body, lead journalist Dash sets out to find a gripping headline. Unfortunately, the story finds him as the ground starts to shake! With the school falling apart around them and chaos spreading, just how many students will survive this ordeal?
My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea is an American animated feature that begins by following the ever-changing relationships occurring in high school. With the lead character Dash solely focused on getting the readership his articles deserve, the rest of his publication team start to get a lot closer. Teenage drama, hormones, budding romance, the popularity contest that is high school and the raging sea all contend with one another in this 75-minute film.
Dash is certainly full of himself from the get go, and with an ego the size of a planet, he sets out to get the biggest news story on campus. Together with his friend Assaf and Editor Verti, they are determined to let all the students know of their impending doom. As events turn ominous, Mary, one of the most popular girls in school, joins up with the school press trio, as they set out to reach safety. Time is on no-one’s side, as the school slides into the ocean and not drowning becomes everyone’s main concern.
My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea is fast-paced, and full of both action and the usual teen drama. It is certainly not all rainbows and butterflies in this film, as we see students falling to their deaths as the story progresses. With less than a handful of adults featured in the film, every student comes face-to-face with their young lives being cut short. The storyline could easily be made into a live action film, one that could be impressive with the right budget.
My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea was created, directed and produced by American comic book writer/artist and animator, Dash Shaw. He is the author of Cosplayers, Doctors, New School and Bottomless Belly Button. Having studied at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, he also was one of the top ten artists to check out at the 2002 Small Press Expo. He certainly has talent, as this film was well worth watching; I would strongly suggest giving it a go. This is a gripping film, and was also shown at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. Regarding adult content, you could easily sit and watch this one with your folks. The animation has an interesting style, one that you rarely come across nowadays. Although it looks simply drawn, all the characters are distinguishable, and it is the story and character interaction which makes this feature stand out.
Bonus Features Include:
Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Dash Shaw
Short Films By Dash Shaw
The Art Of My Entire High School Sinking Into The Sea
Theatrical Trailer
Overall: 8/10
