Blinkity Blank

Blinkity Blank

Directed by Norman McLaren

Produced by ONF | NFB

19555 min6.4 / 10

A kinetic, visually inventive experimental short that treats animation itself as a playful instrument, exploring perception through direct manipulation of film stock.

A playful exercise in intermittent animation and spasmodic imagery. Playing with the laws relating to persistence of vision and after-image on the retina of the eye, McLaren engraves pictures on blank film creating vivid, percussive effects.

Questions people ask

  • Is Blinkity Blank scary? No. Less frightening than 98% of films.

  • Is Blinkity Blank sad? No. Less sad than 97% of films.

  • Is Blinkity Blank violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Does Blinkity Blank end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Blinkity Blank easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

64/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity97

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise62

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love40

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Like Blinkity Blank

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Blinkity Blank

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Blinkity Blank, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Blinkity Blank, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Blinkity Blank, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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