The genius of these simple shorts in unquestionable. Yet, I feel I have plumbed the depths of them and discovered, hidden within them, beauty and messages that are so often skipped over. Therefore, I have decided to provide a review of the heart-stoppingly beautiful short, 'Pwactice da countin'.
The piece begins with the delightfully simple song that the series is so well known for. I couldn't get it out of my head for hours afterwards, I really couldn't! In fact, I was stuck with it for several days and ended up going into a comatose state in my morning bowl of porridge. I feel richer (in porridge at the very least) for having heard it.
Then, we open onto a shot of Piderman's house, a spartan affair. Far removed from our object cluttered lifestyle, I'm sure. Yet Piderman seems so happy. Could this be a hint? A subtle comment towards the materialistic world we reside in? Perhaps. Then, we witness Piderman, counting. His first object was the hilariously named 'Pebnut Bubber'. What a wheeze! I can already tell this episode will be a hilarious, witty one! Not so, dear reader. Not so at all.
After counting 1 (for pebnut bubber) and 2 (for tuba, oh the hilarity!) Piderman proceeds to count 3. What crazy object will three be? Alas, we do not find out, as three seems to have been misplaced. With an anguished cry of "where did three go?" our dear Piderman webs his way to the door. Now, his web. Such a weak and fragile thing. So clearly a poke at the fragile and inefficient modes of transportation we use, poisoning out atmosphere, yet we use for everything and are so dependent on. Insightful indeed. He uses his weak web to slid to the door and does what any and all of us would do. He calls for his friend to support him. His heart-wrenching cries of "Baman? Baman. Bamanbamanbaman" are almost to painful to listen to, reminding us, I'm sure, of the thing we all fear: that when a friend is called he won't respond. Just riviting.
But lo! In the distance come Baman! Tumbling down the hill, a metaphor for the franticness of the world and how true friends are always desperate to help. Crashing into the roof (the thrills!) he asks our poor Piderman what the problem is. Piderman tells him and Baman delivers a stunning twist. Three is Piderman's house! I was shaking in my seat, such was the revelation that Baman deliver, so clever and simply and complex all at the same time!
Piderman quickly recounts! Pebnut bubber, tuba, house! Huzzah! I cheered, feeling goodwill towards the world, uplifted by the ending. And then, at last, Baman takes all the items and rides off into the sunset inside his house!
What a short. Truly the work of an artist.