Director Calls New Film 9 “Escapist”

By Laura Noble
lnoble@smu.edu

At an early age, Shane Acker was bit by the showbiz bug. While he always had a passion for animation, this techie never imagined that his college class project would pan as large as it has.

Originally an 11-Minute animated short film for his thesis, Acker’s brainchild, 9 went from school project to Academy Award nominated short to a full-length feature film.

Under the production endorsement of Hollywood’s quirky heavy-weight Tim Burton, 9 makes its silver screen debut Wednesday— no coincidence on 9-9-09.

Taking place on a post-apocalyptic/post-Great World War earth, 9 follows the epic survival quest of a group of voodoo-esque dolls, stitchpunks, against a band of hyper intelligent, electro-charged evil machines.

Playing to many of his own philosophies, fears and doubts about where our society is headed in today’s age of technology, Acker has no qualms about nestling his concerns and emotions into the film.

“There’s just something about animation where you can deal with very big things,” said Acker in an interview with the SMU Daily Mustang.

Soon after headway began on extending the project to feature length, actor Elijah Wood signed on to be the voice of 9’s eponymous stichpunk protagonist.

In an interview with the SMU Daily Mustang, Wood said agreeing to the project was an easy decision after he screened the shot.

“It was so beautiful with elements that looked like moving paintings,” said Wood of the original film.

Wood admittedly identified with his character’s sense of questioning, fearlessness and perseverance.

“9 came into the world innocent and with no baggage,” said Wood. “I admire his courage.”

Both Wood and Acker believe the different working levels of the film are what will draw in audiences from all spheres.

“On face value it’s an escapist film,” said Acker. “But on another level you can deal with various life meanings and see them visually articulated.”