In the documentary Little Empty Boxes, animation transcends traditional narrative, becoming a dynamic bridge between raw emotion and scientific inquiry. Directed by Max Lugavere, the film chronicles his journey to slow his mother Kathy’s dementia through unconventional means, blending personal vulnerability with broader questions about memory and care-giving. While live-action footage grounds the story in intimate reality, the animation breathes life into abstract concepts—turning grief, hope, and fragmented memories into vivid, visual metaphors. This approach not only deepens the audience’s connection but also transforms complex medical and emotional themes into something visceral and universal. The animation’s collage-based style—mixing weathered textures, stark cutouts, and fluid motion—mirrors the disorienting beauty of memory itself. Surreal visuals, like floating photographs or dissolving landscapes, evoke the dissonance of fading cognition, while a tactile, handmade aesthetic keeps the story anchored in humanity. This juxtaposition creates a timeless quality, reflecting nostalgia and the relentless march of time without feeling sentimental. By weaving science with artistry, the film invites viewers to linger in the tension between loss and love, offering a poetic testament to how creativity can make even the most elusive truths feel achingly close.
Animation Director & Designer: Ariel Costa AKA BlinkMyBrain Client: Booklight Film EP: Max Lugavere, Chris Newhard Production: Jacob Matthew, Hilla Medalia
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In the documentary Little Empty Boxes, animation transcends traditional narrative, becoming a dynamic bridge between raw emotion and scientific inquiry. Directed by Max Lugavere, the film chronicles his journey to slow his mother Kathy’s dementia through unconventional means, blending personal vulnerability with broader questions about memory and care-giving.
While live-action footage grounds the story in intimate reality, the animation breathes life into abstract concepts—turning grief, hope, and fragmented memories into vivid, visual metaphors. This approach not only deepens the audience’s connection but also transforms complex medical and emotional themes into something visceral and universal. 
The animation’s collage-based style—mixing weathered textures, stark cutouts, and fluid motion—mirrors the disorienting beauty of memory itself. Surreal visuals, like floating photographs or dissolving landscapes, evoke the dissonance of fading cognition, while a tactile, handmade aesthetic keeps the story anchored in humanity. 
This juxtaposition creates a timeless quality, reflecting nostalgia and the relentless march of time without feeling sentimental. By weaving science with artistry, the film invites viewers to linger in the tension between loss and love, offering a poetic testament to how creativity can make even the most elusive truths feel achingly close.
Animation Director & Designer: Ariel Costa AKA BlinkMyBrain
Client: Booklight Film
EP: Max Lugavere, Chris Newhard
Production: Jacob Matthew, Hilla Medalia
Audio: Ran Raiten – “Galactic Conquest”