Watch Catnip: Egress to Oblivion?

Catnip: Egress to Oblivion is an experimental short film from 2012 that explores the documented effects of catnip on felines. The film was directed by Jason Willis and produced by Gail Silva. The cast features Terry Easley, Giovanni Dominice, Neil Kight, and various cats. The film is divided into four parts, with an opening and closing sequence that bookends the individual segments. Each segment showcases a different aspect of the effects of catnip on cats. The first segment is titled "The Experience," where we see cats interacting with catnip in various forms such as toys, sprays, and plant leaves. The second segment, "The Aftermath," depicts cats in a kind of haze after experiencing the effects of catnip. The third segment, "The Afterlife," features animated sequences depicting the cats' psychotropic experiences under the influence of catnip. The final segment, "The Egress," shows cats coming down from their catnip high and returning to their normal behavior.

Catnip: Egress to Oblivion is a remarkable! It takes a unique approach in its storytelling, giving the audience a raw and unfiltered glimpse at how cats may react to catnip. The film features no dialogue, relying entirely on moody music, sound effects, and images to convey its message. This approach works exceptionally well, as it adds to the experimental feel of the film.

Many aspects of the film are striking, from the visuals of the cats playing with toys, to the quirky animated sequences showing the cats' perspective of their catnip-induced hallucinations. The usage of different angles and shots make it even more intriguing, like the usage of extreme close-ups of the cat's paws and claws, and the reverberating fluid movements of the animated cats' tails.

The film makes several references to scientific studies on catnip, such as the chemical compound nepetalactone, and how it affects cats' behavior. However, the primary focus of the film is to showcase the subjective experience of the cats when under the influence of catnip.

The film is quite short, with a runtime of only 12 minutes, and could easily leave you wanting more. But what is there proves to be fascinating and captivating enough. It's clear that the filmmakers put a lot of thought and effort into creating a unique and artistic representation of cats' experience with catnip.

In conclusion, Catnip: Egress to Oblivion is a must-see for cat lovers and fans of experimental films. The film is well-crafted and thought-provoking, and its innovative approach is both unique and refreshing. It's not just a film about cats and catnip, but an exploration of perception, experience, and the unknown.