Dianne Jackson's 'The Snowman' (1982)

In this episode, I talk about Dianne Jackson's beloved 1982 animated film, "The Snowman." Adapted from Raymond Briggs’s wordless book, the film follows a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life, and together they share a brief night of wonder and connection.  

I reflect on how the film holds both joy and tenderness, and how its playful scenes have brought me comfort during my first Christmas without my mother. She was my last remaining parent, and watching this film has helped me think about memory, grief, and the impermanence of life. I hope this episode offers solace to anyone who is grieving during the holidays.

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My Sources:

• https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/raymond-briggs-the-snowman-christmas
• https://animationobsessive.substack.com/p/the-specialness-of-the-snowman
• https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/snowman-who-has-spent-40-years-warming-our-hearts
• https://www.thesnowman.com/about/
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/dec/22/how-the-snowman-melted-david-bowies-heart-raymond-briggs
• The making of The Snowman: https://youtu.be/hIrbQ_9LSLU
• Original story boards: https://youtu.be/FWOM-hIimjI
• The Snowman in HD: https://youtu.be/5A3THighARU?si=L4faPi0UIkOdawZb
• Raymond Briggs: Snowmen, Bogeymen, and Milkmen: https://youtu.be/fR3GO6uI2TQ?si=W_qaDXoyXXu9-UTa