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The Life of Death

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Marsha Onderstijn is a Dutch animator who studied at St. Joost Kunstacademie, a fine arts university in the Netherlands, specializing in 2D animation. In her hand-drawn piece, "Life of Death," Marsha follows a day with Death, who paradoxically learns to fall in love with life. This moving short animation paints Death as a warm character, interested in the goings on of the living, and even feeling remorse for accidentally killing a flower. Marsha invites the viewer to question any fear of death, with old age happily giving into the release and quiet of the next phase of existence. After all, what is death, but the next phase of life?

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Reflections (63)

Debra Sequoia

I was moved deeply by watching the transition of death from unawareness into consciousness. The opening to love and with it the awareness of the depth of loss. The rejection of death until finally discovering fearless acceptance and welcoming of death as part of life.

Sandya Tirupathi

Beautiful video. We all have to learn to embrace death. Death is the only certainty we have in life! Conversations about planning and preparing for death should be viewed positively. Dignity in death is much required.

Zackoree

That love and death may have something in common.

Dita Vizoso

I noticed the ¿sadness? of the different beings as they saw Death approaching them. And their dignity. I felt sad, or perhaps puzzled, when Death became attached to life... I wondered what happened to the world, to Life, through Death's enchantment with Deer... I found the movie beautiful and reflecting much of the paradoxes of the life I know. Thank you!

Glenn

Inspired, 😉....very creative. It'd be interesting to hear where the artists inspiration for the video came from.

It is a gentle and kind portrayal of how death lives among us and our choice to befriend or ignore....

jon

Death portrayed as unattractive goblin , that changes . it can be seen many ways . Something to run from and fear , then at last welcomed as kind. At first and most often unwanted, then perhaps accepted ( at least as inevitable) and then perhaps more truly accepted with an ability to remain present with the experience absent resistance. Finally perhaps even with gratitude as just another part of this life.

mary c

Inspired? the fear, avoidance of death turning to the steps toward, the embrace, surrender, the apparent peace.

Dora

The movement of death between all of life. The power of facing death and death facing life.

Veronique

Artists can be so 'helpful' to look at Death and Dying. Kitty Crowther's wonderful book "La Visite de Petite Mort" was translated in 11 languages, but not English! Death is a little girl whose job is miserable because people are frightened of her... until she meets Elsewise who welcomes her because she will no longer have to suffer. They become friends... and the end is very thoughtful and tender, just like Marsha's beautiful animation.

Cynthia DiCerbo Silverstein

I liked Death's relationship with the deer and the deer embracing Death, and in turn Death's gentle embrace. But I am confused by the notion that Death feels remorse about bringing death. Talk about not liking your job! !

Scott Carlson

I appreciate the care and friendship extended by the image of death in the video. The way the deer accepted the gesture after first being in fear was magical. I found the video comforting and confirming.

Paul

So many tears...so beautiful, simple, elegant. At the very end, it seemed like the deer was able to teach/offer something to Death. Wow.

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The Life of Death

Reflections (63)

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