MOVIE REVIEWS : Peaks and Valleys in Swiss Animation Program

For much of the 20th Century, Switzerland has been a neutral ground for cross-pollination of the various arts.

A three-part program of 51 short films made there during the last two decades, now under way at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, suggests that the same process is taking place on a microcosmic scale in animation.

Many of these films have a experimental quality, reminiscent of student work. The Swiss animators haven’t yet established anything approaching a recognizable national style, but it’s interesting to see how they borrow elements from other countries and studios, and use them in their own films.

Several of the films offer audiences a chance to see how foreign artists view American popular culture. Carlo Piaget’s “Funny Lights,” a duet between two cartoon lipsticks set to a song by Blue Feather, spoofs rock videos. In “Reflex,” Alexis Berset uses processed live action, silver cut-outs and the look of Patrick Nagel illustrations to tell a story about a reckless motorcyclist. In Martial Wannaz’s clever “Canal Lili,” a cute little mouse invades a television set--and finds herself trapped inside a series of reruns.

* “Swiss Animation: 1972-1991” screens tonight and next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Information: (310) 247-3000, Ext. 148.