Clarisse Chua's endearing “Goose Quest” won hearts at the 19th edition of the Seoul Indie-Anifest, where it took home the Jury Special Prize. Here, Goose – noticeable for her iconic purple bucket hat – wakes up one day to find her hamster dead. So naturally, she seeks to turn back time. As Goose roams from her humble home to the big city, we find that the potential consequences – and her quiet willpower – are more formidable than we may first think.
“Goose Quest” screened at Indie-Anifest
Much like the popular Gameboy games of the ‘90s-2000s, “Goose Quest” wholeheartedly embraces an 8-bit aesthetic. The screen remains largely contained to a 4:3 aspect ratio, while Goose moves only on an X/Y axis. The black-and-white pop-up menus stay simple, offering delightful options like “chive buns” and “seeds.” The lo-fi music, too, keeps with the theme, limiting itself to 1 octave of notes. And, much like a game, “Goose Quest” takes its sweet time. The short lasts a runtime of 16 minutes, which – in a theater where many of the animated shorts struggle to meet 5 – allows the viewer to really relax and immerse themselves into Chua's world.
All in all, “Goose Quest” is refreshing to watch. “Undertale”-esque character designs (including an overexcited snail merchant and an overworked security badger) give “Goose Quest” an edge, while Goose's steadfast intentions endow the film with charm. For Clarisse Chua's first short post-graduation, “Goose Quest” marks the beginning of a promising future ahead. Whether Chua's future lies in that of animated film or games, however, is another story.
