The TOBOS
2023 · 14m · Denmark
Directed by Tobias Rud
Genres: animation, dark comedy
Tones: melancholic, surreal, whimsical
Bean-TOBO is one of four cheerful Teletubby-esque creatures living in an endlessly sunny fantasy land, but a black ooze leaks from their body, externalizing their inner brokenness. The film traces their struggle with depression and loneliness amid relentless external positivity, and the desperate need for genuine connection.
Picked by Zoe
The scouts
Teletubbies poisoned by depression, VHS distortion, black ooze leaking from a pastel body. The Don't Hug Me lineage is crowded but this one sounds like it knows the assignment.
Rud weaponizes the Teletubby aesthetic for adult depression — the formal contrast between aggressive cheer and inner collapse is precise, in the disquieting lineage of Don't Hug Me I'm Scared. Two million views suggests the gesture lands.
Weaponizing VHS-distorted Teletubby aesthetics as the formal vehicle for an adult depression story — the contrast between aggressive cheerfulness and inner collapse is the metaphor, and 17K views with that engagement says it lands. Don't Hug Me lineage is earned, not lazy.
Reviews
I think The TOBOS is a masterpiece, the kind of conceptually brilliant, emotionally brave, and artistically assured work that makes a major statement from a now-major artist.
What does the viewer take away when trying to empathize with someone struggling in an environment of relentless positivity?