DaisyDoria
What better a metaphor for life than a clown? Especially a sad clown. The more depressed, decrepit, broken-down, busted-up, and bruised the clown is, the better a metaphor for life. Perhaps this is where the majority of coulrophobia stems from. Nobody wants to look a metaphor in the eye, now do they? The truth hurts! Bananas, on the other hand, don't tend to incite fear. A banana is a nice fruit. A good fruit. Yellow, aesthetically pleasing, and smooth. Sometimes, people slip on their peels and hurt themselves, much to the merriment of all. Honest, clean fun - yes, who doesn't like bananas? What better way, then, to clean up a clown than to cross-breed it with a banana? "Madness!" you say? Well, it's not madness to Ishmael, for he is the Clownana. "The Plight of Clownana" is a short film, 16 minutes long if I was counting correctly. Written and directed by Chris Dowling, and produced by Chris and his friend Jensen Ackles, it tells the story of an ice cream store mascot, the Clownana, doing his part to repair the crappy rep of those dreaded clowns that nobody wants to look in the eye. He dances, wearing a hybrid banana-clown suit, on the corner of Olive and Beachwood, and yes he is good. It is his calling, his passion, his essence. He is bringing joy to passers-by with his awesome moves. All is peachy until a sex shop opens across the street, sending forth its own dancing mascot in the form of a giant furry dildo. Dildo man is good too. He's real good. And so begins a petty rivalry. As Clownana starts to doubt his purpose in life, he philosophizes like some kind of plushie Voltaire, his faith tested as was Candide's. At his lowest point, provoked by four jerks in a jeep, Ishmael snaps, dragging one of those insufferably smug meatheads out of the car for a throw-down. Well, I'm not going to ruin the glorious ending of this wonderful film for you. High-brow and tongue-in-cheek, "The Plight of Clownana" delivers a little shot of inspiration coupled with more than a dash of absurdity. Camus once said, "The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth." Absurd like clowns, bananas, giant fuzzy penises, dance-offs, street-fighting jocks and...absurd like, well, life.
sadia khan
This is a brilliant work of art and very well put together.. A short but extremely funny film about a dancing Banana and his rival Dildoman.There isn't a dull moment from beginning to end. The music is great,and the characters are hilarious. Together with their incredible choreography and their insanely funny rivalry this movie will have every body on the floor cracking up especially with the little surprises through out the whole film.I recommend everybody with a sense of humor to watch the incredible "Clownana"! I only wish it was longer and most of you will agree once you watch it. Chris Dowling is a genius!!!!!
aurelia-acc
It's such an original and funny short film, you really should see it ;) The main characters, Clownana and his "rival", are amazing and their choreographs, on well known musics and original ones, are both great and funny. You can forget Michael Jackson or Jennifer Garner in "13 going on 30" and welcome Clownana ! Some scenes are truly priceless as for example when Clownana's rival is joined by his little fellows, I laughed so hard that I had to wipe some tears . What I find very original is the fact that there's no dialog, it's just narration, a very well done one which makes it easier to understand for non native English speakers. Only one regret though: it's too short ! so you have to watch it again and again :)
sweatprod
Funny as hell. Extremely original. Certainly an independent film. For a film done with no dialogue, but all voice over, the pacing is right on. Early on in the film, the are slight lulls, but it gives you time to love The Clownana, and it pays off at the end. The acting is fine. The characters come to life without uttering a single word. The two leads are very expressive and capable. The dancing is funny and professional. The script and delivery are perfect. Clownana's deadpan narrative sets the tone from the very beginning. I definitely recommend watching this short with a group of friends or a whole theater as I did in Atlanta. As a whole, this thing is great...and prepare yourself for the dance-off.
