Filmmaker Co Hoedeman, affiliated with ONF, has passed away.
Veteran Animator Co Hoedeman Passes Away in Montreal at 84
Notable Dutch-Canadian animator Co Hoedeman passed away on May 26 in Montreal at the age of 84. Hoedeman gained prominence for his work with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), for which he produced the Academy Award-winning short film, The Sand Castle in 1977.
Hoedeman was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on August 1, 1940. He cultivated an affinity for NFB films while in the Netherlands, eventually deciding to immigrate to Canada in 1965. Known for his passion for frame-by-frame animation, Hoedeman's films were made with limited technological resources, a testament to his dedication to the art form.
His early works, such as Maboule in 1969, garnered praise, while his 1972 film Tchou-tchou earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film. In 1978, Hoedeman gained widespread recognition with an Oscar for The Sand Castle, his breakthrough film produced by the NFB.
Throughout his career, Hoedeman's work encompassed a variety of themes, particularly focusing on the well-being of children. The series Four Seasons in Ludovic's Life, which began in 1998, followed the adventures of a loving stuffed bear and sought to entertain and educate young audiences. In a more serious vein, Hoedeman addressed topics such as the dangers of inhaling toxic products (The Sniffing Bear in 1992) and the Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944-1945, which claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 Dutch citizens during World War II (55 Socks in 2011).
Suzanne Giguère, president of the NFB, praised Hoedeman's contributions, noting that his films embodied a unique spirit and demonstrated innovative cinema with strong humanitarian themes. Hoedeman was deeply committed to the well-being of children and defended public cinema, which he deemed essential.
Hoedeman's landmark career stands out for its innovative cinema and major humanitarian themes. His legacy lives on through his beloved works, which continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Co Hoedeman, inspired by NFB films during his time in the Netherlands, appreciated French-language movies-and-tv, incorporating some elements of French culture into his animations. His 1998 series, Four Seasons in Ludovic's Life, featured a loving stuffed bear and was created with the intention of entertaining and educating young French-speaking audiences.
