ZDUST (2023)

Genre art can simplify matters from the real world that may otherwise seem complicated, or even convoluted. What is a tangled story of exploitation by a ruling class via resources and other mechanics gets clarified when boiled down to its essentials in short film ZDUST.

Made by Just P (Nguyen Hoang Phuc), the 2023 short looks like it could’ve been done in stop-motion with its janky homunculi, layered world building, and repetitive actions. But it’s an impressive feat of 3D computer animation with some excellently rendered characters and designs. The not-too-subtle character designs turn a chess game into a much more intense (and brutal) affair.

The plot summary is:

A cavern world over-exploiting its energy and resources through the struggle of the pawns against the king is at risk for self destruction. How will they save it?

Produced by Dart Studio, ZDUST isn’t the most complicated of stories nor interpretations of basic power dynamics. But it is still a cool visual exploration of those things streamlined with brilliant imagery work.