Bill Plympton has been entertaining us with is wild antics for almost 15 years. The creator, of such notable films as “The Tune” (1992), has finished his third independently funded animated film, “Mutant Aliens” (2001). So far “Mutant Aliens” has only been shown at films festivals worldwide. In its tenure it has picked up four awards:

• Grand Prix for Feature Films, annecy Animation Festival, June 2001

• Second Place, Best Theatrical Film, World Animation Celebration, August 2001

• Best Director prize at SICAF in Korean, August 2001

• Prix Special du Jury at 13eme Rue at utopiles Festival in Nates, Franc, October 2001

In addition to these awards “Mutant Aliens” was an Official Entry at the Sundance Film Festival, January 2001 and many others. “Mutant Aliens” will soon be released in New York City at Cinema Village for one week only on April 19, 2002. The address is 22 East 12th Street. If you would like to meet Bill check out these events:

• April 17, 2002 - Bill Plympton signing “Mutant Aliens” graphic novel at Jim Hanley’s Universe 4 West 33rd Street 5-7pm

• April 19, 2002 - Bill Plympton signing “Plymptoons”, “The Tune” and “I Married a Strange Person” at Kim’s Video 6 St. Mark’s Place 4-5pm

SYNOPSIS OF “MUTANT ALIENS”

“Mutant Aliens” is a wildly humorous yet poignant story about an astronaut, his daughter, and 5 violent, yet sympathetic, alien creatures who seek revenge against a space industry baron. The animated feature will be completed by the end of the year 2000.

The story begins as the astronaut Earl Jensen says goodbye to his 5-year old daughter Josie and rocket designer Dr. Frubar. As the ship is launched into space, the selfish Dr. Frubar pushes the “fuel ejection” button. leaving Earl lost in space. Only Josie sees the evil deed and bites off his finger.

20 years later, Josie is now working in an observatory. When her boyfriend Darby arrives for quick sex, they notice an asteroid about to crash into Earth. But, on further inspection they realize it’s her long-lost father, returning from space. Upon reaching the crashed space capsule, her father exits and tells a fantastic story of his adventures with the “Nose People”. The crowd laughs, yet out of his capsule pops a giant nose. A big reception is held on the White House roof and all are waiting for Dr. Frubar, now head of the conglomerate Space Inc. After finally convincing the reclusive Dr. Frubar to appear, a massive spaceship lands on the roof and out rush five vicious aliens. They capture Dr. Frubar, but he escapes and jumps in his helicopter, yet with all the aliens hanging on, it crashes nearby. Dr. Frubar rushes to his office bunker, where he traps the aliens in a large glass cage.

The “evil” aliens draw big crowds, Josie and Darby try to smash through the glass barrier but only smash their car. Josie, thinking Darby is dead, is rescued by her father on an alien flying fish. As they flee, Dr. Frubar sends his troops after them. While Josie and Earl are hiding behind a cloud, he relates the true origins of the mutant aliens, but he is hit by a stray bullet and plummets to the top of the glass cage holding his beloved aliens. The next day, Dr. Frubar announces he’s sending the world’s largest space ship, the “Adship” into space, where it will unfurl to a giant T.V. screen the size of Oregon. And on that ship will be “the body of our hero, Earl Jensen, and his killers, the evil Aliens”.

However, the Aliens escape and chase Dr. Frubar to his giant Adship - but the space troopers trap the aliens in the space ship.

Fortunately, Josie and the recovered Darby are able to use their telescope to direct a beam to the spaceship that releases the aliens.

Just before the launch, the aliens overpower Dr. Frubar and force him in the ship. After the launch, the public, still believing that the aliens are murderers, attack the innocent mutants. But just then, the Adship opens up and on the huge screen, Dr. Frubar admits that the aliens are only innocent space lab animals sent up as experiments, and Earl Jensen was able to gather them in his homemade space station and train their offspring for revenge against the evil Dr. Frubar. The crowd realizes their mistake and later opens up an alien petting zoo.

All Images © 2002 Bill Plympton.
Printed with permission.