"Model Citizen" | Dystopian Animated Short Film (2020)

Created by David James Armsby.
/ davidarmsbyartist
"What is a Model Citizen? A Model Citizen is a providing father. A Model Citizen is a caring mother, all in service of a scrappy, young boy or girl. A Model Child raised by a Model Family, to become a Model Citizen of their own!"
This brand-spanking-new installment of the Autodale series follows the lives of the Robinson family; Autodale's perfect citizens.
I've wanted to make an animated short film based around the life-cycle of an Autodale citizen/family for a very long time. We've only ever seen Autodale through the eyes of children. All of the other short films in the series focus on skeptical children being successfully brainwashed/indoctrinated into complacency with Autodale's dystopian ways. This short film doesn't have that arc. This short film is about the parents. These characters have NO DOUBTS about how this system works anymore...
SONG:
Tchaikovsky - "Waltz of the Flowers
GUEST VOICE ACTOR:
Mrs. Robinson - "Kirie Quackenbush"
www.dreamstorypodcast.com
digitalkirie.com
This short film is the fifth short film in the Autodale series. Check out the playlist here!:
• "Autodale" | Full Anim...
MAKING-OF:
• Making of | "Model Cit...
PATREON:
/ davidarmsby

[@SecretMegamind]

"Hey Mom, can we go to Grandma's house?" ... "Um, about that..."

[@xeecstasy3183]

Lizz Hannsz What a dark joke

[@kawaii_carebear]

Yeah she was 30 gramma was 30☹️

[@CaptainCroco]

._.

[@hardeddeath9350]

What’s a grandma?

[@lunammoon8503]

Why would she want to see Grandma? She knows her grandparents are model citizens. Why would she need to see them?

[@quicklepicklethecat2386]

It’s freaky how everyone treats this like a utopia even when they can see what’s going on.

[@tomnoordermeer7763]

That is because it is the only type of living they are familiar with, they don't know that there are better living conditions out there. And even if they did they would probably be so brainwashed they would see it as a dystopia.

[@christopherlarsen7788]

Every utopia sews the seeds of a dystopia. My comment isn't an empty platitude. Look up "Behavioral Sink" - researcher John Calhoun's studies on mammals under utopian conditions. Mammals, and particularly primates, don't fare well in utopia because it removes all need for normative behavior. The result is a descent into violence and decay. Horrifying.

[@Anny-me9ny]

Tom Noordermeer yeah but they’re humans, if they’re not sociopaths they’re gona feel empathy for others, and somewhere down the line there’s gona be someone who realizes the terrible dystopia they live in, whether they act upon this realization though, is something that’s not easy to do

[@tomnoordermeer7763]

@@Anny-me9ny Good point.

[@tomnoordermeer7763]

@@Anny-me9ny It could also be that they aren't brainwashed but that they rather have a collective understanding that they can't resist the authorities, ore maybe they realize that if they rebel everything could fall into chaos. Perhaps they are forced to choose between safety and freedom.

[@Franky-qk1cn]

The fact they never show any robot taking them to get killed shows how willingly they accept the cycle

[@zt29.]

I believe it’s even beyond simply accepting this cycle; but rather, they all embrace it and agree with what it entails and aims to achieve.

[@iljakoval4412]

That is just how brainwashing works, it's stable if everybody believes in it. Also quite similarly to how propaganda nowadays goes to work..

[@ruslanmamedaliyev3912]

When they get brainwashed since childhood They have never seen anything different ot better than this They are taught that this is the onky perfect way Thats simply hpw propaganda, idealogies and religions work

[@thedocdodge]

I first watched this about 3 years ago... I was actually wondered many times over the years what would happen if someone said "No, I'm not doing that."

[@ruslanmamedaliyev3912]

@@thedocdodge they would have simply killed them and then show in news how bad they were calling them terrorists

[@Blitz-.-]

What i found especially interesting is that despite being in this distopian society that forces them to live a certain way and put on a mask that fakes happiness, the couple are still happy and in love when they take the mask off. Even if they were forced together by the society they live in, they still managed to find happiness within each other and the manotony of life. Really makes the story come that much more to life.

[@fishHater]

Apparently that was very intentional (according to the making of video) it seems that he was trying to convey a dystopia not through the suffering of the citizens but rather the elimination of all deviation via propaganda and when that doesn’t work, force. Also funish fact, the life they are forced to live is based of the nuclear family, hence why so many people in this comment section are saying it doesn’t seem like a dystopia. Because they have been exposed to actual propaganda (very meta I think)

[@Half-Awake-Gaming]

A problem with this society is that the population won’t last very long because only one kid is being had and two adults die so half the population just dies

[@ThatNoobKing]

@@StarHuman-bi9ln pretty sure not wanting to be unhappy is the very thing making us pursue solutions to our problems

[@zayskyprogramming]

*monotony

[@Fearless_on_my_Breath]

​​@@fishHater It's the epitome of Blissful Ignorance.

[@notknown5950]

The perfect dystopia is one where everybody thinks it's a utopia.

[@jackcrowley2640]

Brave New World! I think you'd like it

[@alexschmidt443]

Utopia *is* dystopia. Or are you telling me you want to live in a world where everything is perfect?

[@lemonhead1232]

The Giver

[@bramvanduijn8086]

@@alexschmidt443 My Utopia is to live in a society that is forever improving. Perfect is not a destination, it is journey.

[@olal9904]

No shit that's what a dystopia is

[@janecrane_]

It's sad when the father says 'thank you' to the robot even though he's about to die. Just shows how brainwashed they are

[@shimmyshimmyman]

And it wasnt even jon it was a random robot

[@SerenityM16]

He was looking for validation that his life was worthwhile, it’s mostly a lie, but it comforted him

[@aaah3234]

I see it like this: he genuinely like the robot, and the robot most likely likes him to, but as he said, “duty calls”, he was ordered to kill them

[@shimmyshimmyman]

@@aaah3234 BUT look at joe when he comes into the house. LOOK AT HIS CHEST. IT HAS A SCRATCH ON IT! And look at joe when he has the axe. ITS GONE! Which means thats not joe!

[@aaah3234]

Zombie Gacha but the whole premise of this is that there all connected by the same hive mind, even if thats not joe, he still has the same memories

[@harmonylynx252]

3:43 i really love how, this scene looks like the man was gonna walk up to the robot he had known for so long, and plead for his life..but no..the mans so brainwashed that he felt he had to thank him before dying.. as if he didnt even consider the idea of living after this moment god thats depressing. Its a psa that glorfys obediance 😢

[@Akash-Freelancing]

After living a perfect life the end price was too low for me.

[@sandeepgill9975]

This is why dictatorships are so stable. The people are brainwashed to the point where the state is the only thing they love.

[@GeorgeDCowley]

I thought he was going to push him off.

[@tortis6342]

Fun fact: that’s not even Joe! Joe has two scratches on his body plate and that robot at the end does not.

[@kearazworld]

I automatically hate you because you used emojis.

[@K1WIKOALA]

"dude I'm gonna have 1 child every year so my cycle ain't gonna end"

[@liv_bear]

u can only have one child, or u arent a model citizen

[@Titancameraman64]

​@@liv_bear that seems very unsustainable. So every generation the population halfves.

[@Sea_Wheat]

@@Titancameraman64maybe the goverment is simply trying to replace the working and middle class with robots and the remaining citizens are simply just there to be wiped out without any backlash

[@dylanworboys7321]

That’s not very model citizen of you 🤖

[@K1WIKOALA]

@@dylanworboys7321 what if I am the model city creator🤖

[@brandonhoover1749]

The only way to prevent a prisoner from escaping is for them to never realize they are in prison.

[@anhnguyen-jv7oo]

True

[@xenaru9794]

Hoooly

[@Eduardocruz003]

Ever heard of the entire town that contributed in making the Hiroshima bomb without none of the 7000 citizens in said town knowing. They only found out about it after two days it happened in Japan. Then again not even the vice president knew about it as the town was kept from the map. [All those citizens were aswell prisoners of war] go figure

[@justinlavine9209]

Yup

[@Oop68]

Very true

[@UserName-gr2mv]

When you in line to get killed but the couple in front of you won’t stop kissing

[@isabelledeacon4461]

Ahhhhh soo realtable

[@welsh_Witch]

Just like keep it up guys I want to love more

[@Mehithose]

I bet they were like, "wtf man? I just wanna die.." relatable indeed 😔

[@newblue2468]

LET'S GOOOOO !!!

[@skeetsmcgrew3282]

@@newblue2468 Oh my god I'm just gonna kill myself right here and save them the trouble, ffs

[@Study_Time125]

This is literally real life in a metaphor. You grow up, get married, raise a child, and then death takes you. The kiss that would always get interrupted shows how responsibilities take the joy out of life, and how you only get that joy once your job is done.

[@kevine9474]

Not really.

[@cranimation2133]

i'd disagree with this philosophy

[@jadefang2222]

​@cranimation2133 Yeah, this kind of philosophy is so depressing to see. The idea life is only worth anything when it's gone, turnt to death, is a very solemn and gross outlook on a world where everything you do does matter. The truth is, the kiss is only interrupted for a moment; there is time to kiss. The idea that responsibilities existing means you can't seek out pleasure until the end is so bleak with no real reason for it to be. There is so much time. Have fun with life. You only get it once.

[@heyo80]

No not really? Most people live another 35 years after their kids have grown up. Death usually isn’t that sudden.

[@aleksandrdostoevsky6621]

Found the brainwashed people. Gross sex addicts. Maybe try a pet instead of kids.

[@user-im4vm4lk6w]

Can I just mention that the decision to put this particular piece in the animation really changed the whole thing. It was light and joyful in the beginning, when everything seemed alright. Then it got dark really quick when the audience realized the upcoming fate of the couple. And then, in the end, when we least expect it, the joyful theme from the beginning plays again right when they are about to meet their maker. But they are still happy. Because in their eyes, their soul purpose in life has been fulfilled. Absolutely, utterly brilliant

[@battledummie5656]

When you see someone misbehaving, " that's not very model citizen of you".

[@goatnorth1247]

"you're talking mad shit for someone within duty calls distance"

[@confusedasian2212]

@goatnorth Swearing is a no, no I’m AutoDale. Duty calls.

[@goatnorth1247]

@@confusedasian2212 oh no

[@DWal32]

you have been sentenced TO THE PIT *villager music*

[@goatnorth1247]

@@isabelliss3234 for a swear word? ...completely in character can i do a swan dive?

[@loloahmed4024]

imagine this is what parents mean when they say they didnt want their child growing up so fast.

[@annagreen2851]

Oof

[@BrownSugar_Coffee]

Ohhhhhhh SNAP

[@sharannadeeproyroy6211]

That is scary

[@altheav5631]

YO BRO NO

[@evalinachannel]

Yup

[@peterclarke7240]

When you think about it, the only real difference between the dystopian society and ours is that we don't spend our lives in contented happiness, and our deaths are normally far less dignified.

[@GeorgeDCowley]

Having to do something every time gets to you. I don't think I'd make it to adulthood. Besides, dying with "ugly" written on your face is not very dignified. There's some truth to it, though.

[@sassyqueen9739]

Contented happiness? To you maybe. That life seems incredibly depressing to me. I would like to do something with my life and have actual purpose. And that death was anything but dignified.

[@anubis7457]

@@sassyqueen9739I'm sure if you asked them, they'd say their lives were full of purpose. Mr. Robinson had a son, a loving wife, and a job, and Mrs. Robinson spent her time raising their child, cherishing her family, and finding joy in smaller things such as dancing. They worked "in service of the cycle." They don't know that there's more out there, so they don't wish for more. They were content with their life, as seen when Mr. Robinson thanks Joe before dying. He's grateful for the life he led, even if it ends shorter than he'd like. However, this is the kind of life that only people who are naturally "model citizens" can enjoy. A family-oriented straight couple with a man who enjoys being a provider and a woman who enjoys being a caretaker are the only ones supported by this system, and only for as long as they're raising a child. In other videos we see that many people AREN'T happy with this system, but in this one we see that for a select few... it's the ideal life.

[@fartinfpooping8801]

@@sassyqueen9739 No where in the original comment does the OP specify "contented happiness" = "having no purpose and doing nothing". Literally everybody has to do something to be able to survive and majority of humans seek purpose. I think by "contented happiness" they mean fufillment or "self-actualization" in one's life overall.

[@saraspivey1129]

Best comment ever.

[@gleeX3_]

There's something about playing lovely positive orchestra music over these people just dying that makes it just so perfect. I love that dramatic contrast. I've seen a similar thing in movies and I just love it every time, but especially here. I've been rewatching this series and everything about it I just love.

[@abababab8476]

parents: having their last good moment together joe: *n o*

[@summeremata9884]

Dark, so very dark

[@meyannisarr4473]

I was like #666

[@elmvine]

Who's Joe

[@dove1305]

Prince Memer Dickson II The robot that checks on the Robinson’s. He also was the one that killed them

[@HeroGame2099]

@@elmvine joe mama

[@trivial5663]

True horror, is not knowing that something is wrong.

[@et5573]

What’s scary is people are raised to believe crazy things everyday and it’s a real thing but not as extreme as everyone being raised to believe the same thing

[@theblandcharlie822]

@@jellyfishi_ Completely agree, except for the gender part.

[@marcelloammirati2184]

I mean, the concept of wrong is extremely subjective, so if they think that something is normal, it's not wrong

[@emils4326]

@@theblandcharlie822 Well, I don't have anything personally against people that believe in more genders. But I do not like when they force me to call them something that I do not believe in myself without even knowing them. I don't dislike people who aren't straight or believe they are something else than male and female. But I don't want to get confronted and get mad at just because I called someone who I believed was a female (who looked like a female and sounded like a female) a female. If your appearance is feminine I will call you a female unless I've specifically been told that you don't identify as that.

[@hadbetterdays8118]

Tric all that reminds me of what the nazi's did they never questioned what they were doing as wrong despite how horrific

[@goosey235]

This is just amazing - fantastic job! And we are 3 years closer now than when this was first released - fun!

[@mikelouis2118]

I am Michael. I am ai. Hello.

[@thatissoquebecishh2134]

4*, now.

[@saraspivey1129]

Closer to what?

[@goosey235]

@@saraspivey1129To this being our lives

[@goosey235]

@@saraspivey1129 Closer to this being our lives

[@ashlapotumas]

I remember discovering this series a while ago, two years or more maybe. i loved it so much from the very first video i watched. i remember being so utterly confused and enthralled, being too young to understand most of it but too fascinated by the reality of it to stop watching. I'm so glad youtube recommended this to me again, after *so long.* It's oddly comforting to revisit it and finally understand the little details.

[@cameronwilliams6267]

Anyone: *gets old* Autodale: "that wasn't very model citizen of you"

[@urielectricstudios5946]

this is by far the best meme reference in this comment section so far

[@dracheusmomentus2033]

@@urielectricstudios5946 Agreed

[@jaydenslaptop6548]

Clever joke boyo

[@dracheusmomentus2033]

@@jaydenslaptop6548 Extremely Except Joe called em true model citizens at the end even if they old so that ruins the joke making it bruh

[@Tr3nchAn0n]

Watch Logans Run. That came out decades ago about this

[@comicreliefghost]

Kid: Grows up and leaves Parents: *My time has come*

[@HasteHub]

@Heidy Cruz which*

[@anythingidontcare6343]

justin no he/she spelled it right

[@damiansimpkins8387]

it was edited so im guessing it was witch before he made the edit

[@comicreliefghost]

@@damiansimpkins8387 I can confirm

[@smileysatanson3404]

aight... imma head out

[@MacheteToothpick]

Ah, I love seeing forgotten channels I used to watch as a kid resurface in my recommended just to be remembered once again

[@tortis6342]

I’m glad this is still getting recommended to people. I love Autodale.

[@earth4515]

Time and time again this pops up in my for you page, and i always like to watch it. Greatest short animation series I have found on youtube.

[@mothersuperior2673]

"But Autodale is hardly automatic" *Are you sure about that?* Guys chill I'm joking 😂

[@Mr-Rando]

yeah duh what you don't get it?

[@enderpup9289]

MrRandomGamers it's in the name too

[@hairdryermanson6955]

UGLY

[@Lucius1958]

It requires the acquiescence of the citizens to perpetuate the system, as does any authoritarian state. If enough of the population were to resist, the state would fall. Hence the need for continual propaganda to support the system.

[@januaryravelo4342]

Especially the p*nis tower

[@UserName-gr2mv]

The ugly behind the Robinson is like “god dammit there’s always a line”

[@FalconRS]

Right? Robots could at least provide suicidal booths for model citizens with 'Thank you' note.

[@sup494]

or they are old and old people are considered as uglies and nothing more nowadays when in old times they were considered as wise people.

[@edwardzero9275]

Bad Luck Uglies might just be an interchangeable word for “Not suitable anymore”. Think about it, it’s a good way to dehumanise people, as Uglies are not fit for life anymore and thus killed, which is easier to accept once you dehumanise the person dying. It’s a tactic used in the military as well, dehumanise your enemy and their death will be easier to cause and accept

[@kiradotee]

@@edwardzero9275 what sort of stuff would they say in the military?

[@edwardzero9275]

vitali Well, for an example. There’s a term known as Haiji, now if my knowledge serves me correctly it’s based around the fact that people who go the Mecca are Hajs, but I’m not sure. It’s origins is regardless though, what matters is who used it and how. The US marines coined the term as a racial slur to use when they invaded Iraq. It was a racial slur made to dehumanise the enemy and make it so killing them would be easier. This tradition dates back to WW2 when a US I wanna say Military Intelligence personnel made a report that dehumanising the Japanese made their own troops more effective, and that as the enemy was going to be brutal, so must they too adapt to that and be brutal to their enemy by giving them no mercy and seeing them as a less then human light (the Japanese went a different way about this, they dehumanised the Americans but also romanticised the idea of dying for the Emperor). They’d do this by taking them through hospitals and showing what they did, inventing racial slurs, making negative comments about them, blaming stuff on them, seeing them in a overall negative light. It should be known that not all Military personnel are like this. But it is a tactic utilised by the Military to make it easier to get the job done

[@charlie_zzz6456]

The videos this channel keeps providing us are awesome. Let us hope that this perfect cycle never ends!

[@saraspivey1129]

Ew. You have serious mental issues. Seek help, sheep. BAHHHH BAHHHH

[@SirWiggleththe3rd]

That was… gorgeous… holy cow! Man, I started tearing up about halfway through!! Excellent work!!

[@qwertyuiop5530]

The most terryfing thing in this animation is that every "ugly" person is standing in this line from their own will. No one is forcing them to go there.

[@AbrahamRH.]

People who are in the line choose to be there but they are brainwashed into thinking this is the way of society

[@pjbottoms839]

God bless

[@brilliantchaos5397]

I think in some of the older Autodale animations you can see people trying to escape

[@oceantaleroleplaysans3.030]

@@brilliantchaos5397 The video shown here is propaganda

[@brilliantchaos5397]

Oceantale Roleplay Sans 3.0 I realize that, my understanding was that the original commenter was under the impression that everyone in Autodale is completely brainwashed though. Which would be understandable if this was the first Autodale animation you watched.

[@sarahf1309]

I love the fact that the only colour they receive in their lives is when they're finally greeted with death, it's the only thing that wasn't perfect

[@nnavejas85]

the only colour they find is red and seeping form their now crushed skulls....

[@Jim.m.mountain]

Oh shit thats deep

[@mulethedonkey2579]

@@nnavejas85 well you see the person in front of you, if those eye holes are real

[@Malakai__WeLoveYouMafumafu]

It's cool how you noticed, nice catch! But for real that's sad as hell, but also very symbolic

[@supertron6039]

Holy macaroni... What an observation.

[@superp2222]

What strikes me(pardon the pun) as interesting is the use of music. Sure, the Waltz of Flowers is a very popular classical background music, but the Nutcracker is a story where the main protagonist and her siblings receive toys for Christmas presents, and it ends in the protagonist being whisked away into a prosperous and happy land populated by dolls. It speaks to the significance of Autodale as it feels like it’s a land of dolls and the robots represent the child who owns these dolls, once value has been extracted from the dolls they are thrown into negligence or thrown away in favour of new toys (or families in this case) to extract value from.

[@inyoungchoi1043]

That is so freaking scary. Imagine just having the time of your life, then the next thing you know, you are in line to be disposed.

[@Gerald22222]

I love how they don’t question it tho. They just find it normal.

[@tapok214]

Тупо... Ты точно так же стоишь в очереди у смерти которая может знатно поиздеваться над тобой перед тем как убить, а потом доооолго и мучительно давить морально на родню. Здесь дружественный безболезненный взмах без последствий и вот ты закончил счастливый цикл...и всë

[@aqilkurniawan8294]

​@@Gerald22222 Do they have any other choice? Isn't death a certainty?

[@Gerald22222]

@@aqilkurniawan8294 I mean I guess they have a choice to run the heck out of there. But that would be pointless cus of the robots and the wall. But I don’t think any of them would want to run out of there.

[@DavidH-lq9ih]

"Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious." - George Orwell, 1984

[@ksygzywygzy2042]

I love this book so so much

[@shadowfury428]

1984 was such a good book.

[@Captain_Shorts654]

That really struck a cord in me

[@ellybell8356]

@2028 JC It seems likes china takes the whole world over. Stay strong.

[@adolfwasrite7009]

Particularly topical today... As the last free people are trying to retake our nation from the collectivist authoritarians that stole the most recent election. Either we stand against leftwing tyranny, or we will die to it.

[@heck5019]

The moral of the story: model citizens aren’t virgins

[@shitnotagain9492]

No more lonely virgins, right?...

[@williamwontiam3166]

二千八 I guess that’s one of the positives of living in a dystopian society.

[@whitestaralliance7190]

I’m in trouble

[@AmaryInkawult]

No no, they have a point

[@joshz4166]

Oops 22v here that would mean I'd be gone, this some lobster shit

[@alpacaofthemountain8760]

My favorite one of the series. One of the best animations in years

[@hazelathayagifara482]

The "Waltz of the Flower' Soundtrack match perfectly with the story theme!

[@RexoryByzaboo]

When the government gets too perfect, it gets boring.

[@memorybackpack]

if anything gets too perfect it gets boring, that’s why mistakes are a thing, and that’s why perfectionism is so hard to achieve. without mistakes nothing would be imperfect, leaving every perfect, so expecting the best thing every day would be exciting until it gets boring. idk why people say they wanna stop all the problems in the world, when those problems are the reason why we do anything to stop them.

[@kziila0244]

EraserWinks Oh, making mistakes isn’t the problem. Making too many mistakes is.

[@memorybackpack]

Daniel Kim true, but also being perfect is a problem too.

[@kziila0244]

EraserWinks Also true.

[@jo_nm9484]

@@memorybackpack I agree, like how too much dopamine (idk if I spelled it right lol) can make you immune to it, making you want more dopamine until nothing gives you enough

[@lysandercroix]

Interesting that the robots have names and aren’t all called Handymen.

[@blu2954]

*_Joe_*

[@BioCraftHero]

Blu ?eoJ esohW

[@blu2954]

@@BioCraftHero *_amam eoJ_*

[@shadowfire04]

it makes them both more human and....not.

[@ziril3972]

Maybe they're just all called joe

[@briellequeen6518]

This goes so deep. There is good and bad (not bad animating or anything) to take out of it. You did amazing.❤

[@justinfox2814]

I'm loving these short videos. I can't believe I'm just now finding this channel.

[@binyamindragon5813]

"Let's hope the cycle, never ends." Well... Until a certain *someone*... Well, let's say, gets sick of the cycle, eh?

[@dinodude6992]

I just picture doom guy coming to this little town and seeing the propaganda, and pulls up his shotgun cuz it seems he rolled into a town that was in need of his help

[@Quetzalcoatl_Feathered_Serpent]

Hence the killing of older people. Those who have time to reflect on the society they live in and perhaps time to break the brainwashing

[@Jamie-or8iq]

Binyamin Dragon won't they just kill them then? that doesn't really break the cycle

[@ldbonq]

@@dinodude6992 Doom Guy vs. Handyman. Who wins?

[@TheKersey475]

@@ldbonq Given how he's rampaged through the legions of Hell, Doomguy easily.

[@confederacyofindependentsy110]

Somebody: "I'm finally a true Model Citizen!" Joe: *GET IN THE PIT*

[@aaaaaaaaaa7862]

Who’s Joe?

[@apocalypticpotato8795]

Nope No joe mama

[@confederacyofindependentsy110]

@@aaaaaaaaaa7862 It's what the Robinsons nickname the robot that comes in their house every day.

[@confederacyofindependentsy110]

@@apocalypticpotato8795 You should be a comedian. I'm surprised you haven't gotten any girlfriends from your comedic genius.

[@apocalypticpotato8795]

Robert Avery I’m not gay but thanks for the compliment

[@ArvinAsh]

Wow! Bravo! Simple, meaningful, touching...terrifying! Hits close to home.

[@mangomations4160]

this is the first episode in the series i watched and it'll always be my favourite, love this

[@cloudyrain6057]

It’s horrible how they accept this way of life and they’re perfectly fine with it

[@mrreyes5004]

Probably because they don't know any other way of life; obviously Auto Dale doesn't allow anyone to have knowledge or education on things like government or history (which is full of ways that humans have governed themselves for centuries like democracy, communism, monarchy etc), so the citizens living there have no idea that society can be governed by human beings and make their own choices rather than living as dictated by machines and then thrown to die when they lose their usefulness. If you ever read Lois Lowry's book "The Giver" and the main character's reaction to learning about different ways to live than what society forces onto him, you'd get a better understanding of it. If you gave these "model citizens: a history book filled with knowledge on how human governments and societies were run before the apocalypse that gave rise to Auto Dale, they would be *1)* floored that there are other ways people can live and be governed, and *2)* enraged at the cruelty Auto Dale puts them through compared to nations like the U.S, U.K, Canada and Japan where people can live and choose as they see fit (not saying any of those countries I named are perfect but they're clearly better places to live than Auto Dale).

[@oliverhe08]

yeah but to them, they lived a happy life probably more happy than most humans now and they wouldn't even dare to think the robots who gave them this perfect life would be bad.

[@funfzigreichspfennig8631]

It is like real life tho

[@ckr3167]

Enter China

[@rimacalid6557]

Just like in our world, we see those who suffer and we don't care because we are good model citizens

[@froyodoesmusic]

Autodale people when they become elders: Joe: *That’s illegal*

[@abdulmoizkhan5911]

Lol

[@mainframe8006]

Lol dude (or girl) 😂

[@skettlesfart]

who tf is Joe?

[@froyodoesmusic]

Oonakin joe Biden haha got em

[@mainframe8006]

JOE MAMA

[@bennyjax1237]

The sad thing is this is almost exactly how real life is for the average person. A never ending cycle

[@NoxAnHox]

This film is beautiful, tragic and horrific at the same time, great job!

[@Doubl_Troubl]

The one time a person that isn’t a child took off their mask

[@norbertsreignofterror9418]

In the short about the exceptional lady she wears no mask either

[@dragonnestking3418]

Amazing Username I felt like it humanized them a bit more. It definitely hurt more to see them die when I saw them without a mask.

[@crusader-yv9zr]

The mask stays ON during sex.

[@Gremlor]

@@crusader-yv9zr nice

[@brandonchan5387]

I guess as of this video, it can be generally assumed that all citizens take of their masks every day to talk, eat and other various activities. However, most of the time they are ordered to keep them on.

[@ThatGuy-ng7et]

The couple’s friendship with the robot was kinda cute, ngl.

[@v-ziro3671]

May i ask you a question what is this (ngl )word you guys use so much

[@v-ziro3671]

Nowadays!

[@vitoremanuel4374]

@@v-ziro3671 "Not gonna lie"

[@Wruegg0420]

@@v-ziro3671 it’s an abbreviation

[@goatsanimations4480]

@@v-ziro3671 no offence but are you boomer

[@adrianfinn2906]

That is both really dark and really cool, this was awesome to watch, thank you so much!

[@samanthagarcia6170]

Watching this several times, I notice 2 things I hadn't noticed before. (1) When their child turned 15 he went to have a family , so that makes the couple 30 (that is if they started their family at 15 too). (2) All those who are single, are considered 'ugly' because they couldn't find a partner to continue that 'pefect cycle'. That's why the parents are so pround of their son.

[@saraspivey1129]

Um. The parent's masks said ugly, like everyone else's. So wtf are you talking about? You need to "notice" better.

[@kziila0244]

This reminds me of a hospital. Patient: What happens when I die? Doctor: We just clean the bed and call in the next patient.

[@notspace8487]

no, its just life.

[@ortherner]

That’s not how it works?

[@LexxLucious]

Such as life

[@moonwasfound_]

sem...

[@jamescridland4663]

What are they supposed to do? Clear the area and put a gravestone right there and eventually turn the place into a graveyard?

[@NoName-ze4qn]

Despite of his job, the robot seems like a chill dude

[@alientitimilk9073]

I professionally kill people but dont worry im a chill guy

[@MINDLE55EMPIRE]

I professionally kill Ducks but don't worry I'm a chill guy (Edited) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3XSeJKta6-sY8k 5:50

[@wolfer1225]

Totally

[@darthsader7089]

Programming.

[@server642]

I think that’s the point. The robots are meant to seem like they’re on the citizens’ side to prevent mass panic. It’s okay - everything’s okay - this is how everything should be, now keep being a productive member of society and don’t worry about it.

[@IsleOfFeldspar]

Another attack on the traditional family

[@mydogghost]

It isn’t.its horror story about people trying to be perfect

[@aqilkurniawan8294]

Describe non-traditional family forms. Do death and aging not exist for them?

[@meredithmora4131]

It makes you wonder wether the life we are living would be considered “dystopian” to someone else looking in from the outside.

[@darkkitty9569]

Done so well bravo!!✨

[@chemssii_.8154]

OMYGPD IVE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR THIS CHANNEL THIS FUELS ME WITH SO MUCH NOSTALGIA

[@pyro6426]

my robot dude checkin in everyday he just makin sure everyone be vibing

[@feedme645]

[ Content ] [ X ] what a chad

[@cw1963]

I guess they finally failed the vibe check

[@noahgangel2504]

Love the man

[@alexquacksal0t]

what if we vibed in the death pit......unless ?

[@HarambaeXelonmuskfans]

Everyone fails, once you dont have a kid, you are gae (bad)

[@user-uc7dn1oi8v]

When you just tryna get killed but the couple in line wont stop kissing

[@user-bc3jp5rr9f]

ugh ikr soooo annoying

[@buena_crystel4765]

Yep...Im still here in the line and...THEY STILL WON’T STOP KISSING-

[@sleepytrina7653]

SOMEONE HET THE CHAINSAW IM ABOUT TO KILL MYSELF WHILST IN THE PROCESS OF KILLING THE COUPLE

[@buena_crystel4765]

Speedy Katrina IKR- They still won’t stop kissing huh? Lemme push them off-

[@buena_crystel4765]

WTF- GUYS I TRIED TO PUSHED THEM OFF BUT THE ROBOT SAID TO WAIT THEN-

[@dabaconsleepstonight]

This is the danger of viewing life as a purely mechanical thing. Complete your duties, and your human worth is gone. Off to the morgue with you, my boy!

[@CCP-Lies]

People has always seen Human as tool and mechanical things since the beginning of civilizations. Slaves, Forced Labor and etc

[@just.some.person]

Omg I've been wanting to find this series again and it finally got recommended again!!

[@rogermon3s141]

The darkest part is how everyone knows and accept it-

[@chloehatfield8450]

Well not everyone because in some of the other episodes there trying to escape, but yes I get what your saying and it’s very sad I didn’t really think about that 😢

[@dove3015]

It is sad, but it reminds me that the world isn't perfect, people are different and we're still fighting for our safety and no matter what happens we're still human and they can't take that away from us

[@user-eq2yb8vh4l]

1984 ending vibes...

[@faeryix]

It has 666 likes and I’m leaving it here

[@rogercameron6912]

Tch, the American life is worse than this.

[@angelmacintyre7844]

People in autodale: *just going through life Joe: ViBE cHEcK

[@turtlemasteralpha3320]

Angel MacIntyre copied

[@jed1986]

They get an early vibe check if they ask who Joe is.

[@turtlemasteralpha3320]

b3pSu Time *late

[@NonYaMan]

It's accurate to today's world. Everyone does what they are told, they go to work, come home to have dinner and soon send there kids out when it's time, and eventually the final scene will be true as well. But it's a very well made short

[@charmatic_yt2195]

Dad: “Was I a model citizen?” Joe: “No, I’m told you were the best.”

[@simerlukimorsi8925]

mama

[@wilson2914]

*Karate chops him*

[@jordan3574]

Joe mama

[@clownkid]

@@jordan3574 Who's joe mama?

[@storm364]

*Vibe check*

[@ObtainableVoice-yv6lf]

Fun fact: only one child per family is actually below replacement level. Unless they get more children from elsewhere, they will run out of candidates if the system doesn't change

[@ellenman]

ya your right

[@BajaBandit]

wow! absolutely loved this, amazing work

[@cactoos9793]

Joe: *Executing people* *Pauses* "Oh hey it's those lovely couple!"

[@user-cj8qk5qo7f]

Joe: sOrRy, dUtY cAllS *kills them*

[@linosundae]

NOW THATS A LOT A *DAMAGE*

[@build2270]

I was... kinda hoping the cycle would never end...

[@NIDEEX]

Why I’m traumatized

[@idiotfyu1161]

Who is Joe?

[@nicoor.7092]

“And your families are what keep this engine turning and turning.” This line takes a whole new meaning after Immortal Machine.

[@coraxalcolt2794]

"And hope this cycle will never end"

[@user-jy5qm8nc9m]

This video is fake opposition. The system don't want model families in nice comfy suburban homes, the system is anti-family the system wants atomized childless individuals that slave their whole life away.

[@CorvCor]

And your families are juice.

[@Rouhollah74]

The way I see it, it's implied that if the machine dies, so does everyone inside the city eventually. So in a way the population is sacrificed as they grow old in order to keep humanity from going extinct. A compromise, and well yes a very messed up one at that.

[@thevoid7272]

@@user-jy5qm8nc9m there is more than one system at play, my friend..

[@CubingTheory]

This is truly beautiful yet terrifying at the same time. Masterpiece. Anyone notice the UGLY kinda looks like JULY? Thinks its like the thing is done every month or smth. Genius

[@peaceandwar263]

My English teacher showed this in class last year! It was great being able to rewatch it 💚

[@Gerald22222]

I hope I get to see it in shcool

[@tortis6342]

@@Gerald22222show it to your English teacher. Made they’ll incorporate it into class. My teacher did!

[@maiimirr9747]

notice how the paper says "THE FRIENDLY SHADOW IS AT IT AGAIN!" while the newest video is called "Friendly Shadow" i guess that's _foreshadowing_

[@satriamarshall312]

Timestamp?

[@maiimirr9747]

@@satriamarshall312 0:25

[@froschj8249]

oooo thats so cool haha

[@ihateitwhenmychildrencrawl69]

:O

[@hsmacaraig]

yesss

[@DeepLakeRC]

Probably the most horrible part of all this is that they know that their destiny is to get killed in the pit, and they are perfectly happy. They know that the outside world is uninhabitable and that death is the only way to survival. This life may seem horrible and unsettling to us, but to them, it is perfect.

[@foxygirlgirl2539]

You're right 🙁

[@a.i17]

This is the world Biden envisions..

[@alexhowell4983]

well in a way doesn't our world work the same

[@shaewilson9450]

@@pxrple380 nah they show other families with more than one kid in other episodes I think it’s just easier to animate one kid

[@mieshahalemep3165]

IKR

[@letmegraduateplz2264]

For years, I’ve remembered this video but have never been able to find it because I couldn’t remember what it was called. Now another one of my childhood mysteries have been solved

[@Marlas_random_stuff]

Wow! So wonderful and sad I don’t know what to feel!❤

[@notthatdandelionyoucrushed6753]

i researched for "wholesome parrot animation" and lets just say, this escalated fast.

[@starlegends3092]

XD HAHAHA

[@jupitersparx4101]

I JUST CHOKED ON MY WATER

[@drunkendye4892]

How tf did you end up here?! What the actual hell?

[@notthatdandelionyoucrushed6753]

@@drunkendye4892 ikr

[@thishumanoid3005]

LMFAO

[@TherapyForNarhwals]

I used to think “uglies” were the crippled, the ADHD, the “different” but in a “perfectly run society” there’s no space for old people- no need for them either. That’s terrifying. Wonderful job!

[@Liuhuayue]

I thought the uglies were simply people who actually were unattractive, not just older. This video indicates otherwise, however. Those were some well-aged middle-aged people. This is a lot like the Giver and the Uglies/ Pretties series in that regard (only in Uglies, those are the people before they got plastic surgery; the older people still move to a separate community, however).

[@zephirrism1128]

If you are interested there is the giver which depicts a very interesting society as well very different though less distopic

[@Ze_Taco_Guy]

I read a book in school called “De Hvide Mænd” by Kenneth Bøgh Andersen or “The white men”, it is very similar in concept. I don’t know if it has been translated to any other languages.

[@Liuhuayue]

@@zephirrism1128 It still is a dystopia... Spoiler for the Giver They still kill the older people, although it's more of euthanasia and is disguised as a celebratory going-away ceremony rather than a publicized bloody execution.

[@henrythegreatamerican8136]

Yea, just wish the animation made the parents look older.

[@python2198]

Probably my 5th watch, still a masterpiece!

[@emporerr]

I had to write a 7,500 word story for school, and this gave me the inspiration for what it would be about. Thank you.

[@nemesisalex9424]

"If the cows could vote they would vote for the man that feeds them. Even if he's the same man that is going to slaughter them later" "those that trade their freedom for a safety will lose both and gain none" Most people would rather live cofortably as slaves than struggle in freedom. This series is pretty cool.

[@GurpreetSingh--]

Whole(almost)Concept of video In a Message so well Written

[@TheTrueAdept]

The quote about trading freedom for safety has been miss appropriated so hard that it hurts. The sad thing is, the Founders would (after being explained everything to get the context) would agree that there IS such a thing as too much freedom. Welcome to a world of moral ambiguity, where technology has a hefty determining factor for how much freedom and rights you can have...

[@bubbly7137]

This is my favourite comment so far. It perfectly sums up this video.

[@nemesisalex9424]

@Sems Fiction an old saying "fuck bitches, get money". Besides it's comedic connotations this saying tries to teach the individual that if you focus on building your career and legacy as a man you'll attract females along the way bur if you focus on attracting a partner you'll never find one. Happiness and meaning have a similar relationship. If your meaning is to ne happy as much as possible then you'll never be happy but if you find your meaning (being a father, and artist, a charitable man, for example) your life will be meaningful and you'l find happiness

[@jesusislord7772]

Well said

[@BoogieWoogi]

Spoilers Honestly I was waiting for the “Dark Twist” this whole time (other than them being brainwashed) and when the music cut when the father was looking at Joe I thought he was going to rebel. But no, he just thanks Joe right before the robot kills them. I, kind of absolutely love it.

[@aricre8886]

this was kinda surprising and wonderfuly dark

[@dandanthedandan7558]

That is masterful writing right there

[@catmail6108]

Especially with the way it shows him grabbing his arm

[@SakiNaoko]

It's a propaganda film, so they couldn't rebel or the film wouldn't have been broadcast.

[@BoogieWoogi]

SakiNaoko is it though? I feel like they’re propaganda film wouldn’t show the “Ugly” People being killed

[@Derpynewb]

I think this is just an artistic modern society. Your burn your life away for the sake of the machine we're all part of, the only glimmer of hope it is for the sake of your children. You trick yourself into thinking it's ok, that it's for a better life, all while somehow forgetting, your kids will do the same. This isn't some dystopian future in my opinion, it's a representation of the present. Of how we're all used to the dread of the system we're in, blindly giving in, even thinking it's good for us, even though it runs off of our suffering.

[@solekeeper]

Let's hope that this cycle never ends

[@ok-do]

This series takes “getting old sucks” to a whole other level

[@NoobNoobNews]

funny story. everyone knows getting old sucks so much that they die knowing they will never get old in the first place. That is why they are all smiling.

[@OptimisticCynic715]

No doting grandparents to share wisdom.

[@ortherner]

indeed

[@yurei1442]

😔👊

[@tropickman]

Missing the point?

[@Poogiewoogles]

Imagine being an alien and seeing this dark shit. I would turn the ship straight around.

[@yelyahfan88x94]

Crying that that's what your brain came up with from that. I love it.

[@littlelacho8522]

I’d just ask for permission to nuke the shit out of that planet, then retire from space faring and live the rest of my life on my home planet.

[@GAMERtheGHOST_]

if I was an alien and see this shit I’d help the species that are being brainwashed by robots

[@mytrangly458]

If I am an alien, I would take some popcorn, sit back and enjoy the show

[@Penguig]

What if the aliens live like this and think our way of life is freaky

[@Whatchyadoinghere]

The fact that this represents our current society is chilling, children grow up, expected to have a family, expect to be perfect, age, turn into elders, and then there’s no use for them anymore, so younger generations call them “ugly”, and the worst part? We act like it’s fine…

[@aqilkurniawan8294]

There is no choice but to endure it patiently

[@THEcrazymew]

The robots have a shared hard drive of memories.. So yes, it's the same robot, regardless of the body used, since all of the robots are the same robot..

[@willhaney96]

The darkest part is how every one only had one kid, meaning they are not replacing them selves, this is a slow death of the human race.

[@dizzydrink07andmore41]

But in previous episodes they have two kids

[@antimatter4733]

The dad was just shooting blanks....

[@aleembaksh1880]

Population control maybe?

[@golagiswatchingyou2966]

Kinda like real life, except more honest and less horific.

[@Sakurei]

Honestly, this is what we need. Humans have overpopulated the world. It's not very sustainable. A law such as not having more than 2 kids could drastically lower our population and relax our natural resources quite a bit more.

[@katm.1710]

The classical music in the background just adds to the horrifying perfection of this. I am deeply scarred, but glad I saw this. I made this comment 9 months ago and did not expect to come back to 14k likes and 69 replies oh my goodness!! Thank you so much everyone who's discussing in the replies, your insight and stories are greatly appreciated!

[@lorenzpaulfoth]

Totally! It really shows the impact of music on films! I was really inspired by this and I also made a series of dystopian animations with classical music :P You can find them on my KZbin Channel ;)

[@dassnek4728]

Yeah it's Tchaikovsky

[@hsmacaraig]

ikrrr aaaaa

[@dassnek4728]

@@samchernoff350 it's Tchaikovsky's flower waltz

[@flaymix1]

Have wondering why, I finally figured it out. It adds to the illusion of happiness in a “perfect” society. The music is happy and provides false security even though we know it isn’t really good. It’s amazing how music and setting can affect our mind. When listening to this song by itself, it provides an entirely different feeling

[@vertonimal]

it has been pointed out to me but the detail is completely changed my perspective on this. the robot, "Joe" as they call it, is not the same robot that sends the Robinson's off like they believe. Joe has one key difference to the other robots shown in this film. Joe has a scratch on his chest. the reason the robot didn't correct them is because they never cared in the first place. their kindly mannerisms are programmed in. and yet, even though "Joe" has been a part of their life for a long time they couldn't tell the difference between him and any other robot.

[@Gamemeditation]

We're all ready living that way

[@NoneNone-rj6bs]

"I'm so glad grandma baked me cookies." *parents with a face of horror* "SHE baked you cookies?!"

[@captjc4415]

Also like if every family has only 1 child were all gonna die

[@Scarshadow666]

Joe's the kind of robot that would probably walk in on couples as they're in the process of making a family (and give a little thumbs up too, lol). XD

[@saramarzoli9647]

I feel like if they had old written on their masks, it would've been more fitting

[@ItsCamille735]

Honestly the fact that the Robinson’s just let themselves die is infinitely more horrific than If they’d fought back at all. I sit anxiously waiting for the behind the scenes.

[@lulusmith780]

I also find it disturbing how they thank the robot. They’re thanking their killer which is very messed up.

[@podroznikzpustkowi4805]

@@lulusmith780 he was a "friend" of the family. They thank him for all these years of "friendship"

[@Little_Miss_Carrex]

Ah~ propaganda at its finest.

[@marxbarx2009]

true model citizens the robinsons were. in life and death.

[@theduke7539]

Acceptance of futility. Theres nothing they can do, and they'll die more slowly and get everyone else killed for rebelling, and the only reasonable course of action is to just accept it. Human nature is survival, and when it's clear that there is no chance of surviving a rebellion, we submit. Every dictatorship runs on this principle.

[@maconi2.035]

I like how when they say “model citizens” it sounds like mortal citizens.

[@VOKZEL]

Yep, they are indeed living citizens.

[@Seagull077]

This has got to be one of the most beautiful animations ever.

[@Kamrynidk]

Ikr it's awesome

[@nukima11]

This was the first one I watched and, to be honest, it's the best one.

[@wassermellonie]

This Model Society is actually dying off. Each of it's families only has one child. There would need to be 2.13 children per mother for stable growth.

[@cassiel5630]

Actually, if you look at the others, they do sometimes have 2 or more children, just the families focused on didn't

[@wassermellonie]

@@cassiel5630 Which others? I didn't see any families with more than one child. And the broadcaster at 0:28 even specified that a model family consits of a father, mother and one boy or girl :3 Edit: True! In "being pretty" and "don't feed the freak" I've seen families with two children.

[@mikahb7862]

That’s what I was thinking, like they are literally destroying their population, they should all have at least 2 kids

[@sage9039]

@@wassermellonie I think they're talking about the other shorts in this series. For example, in the first short, "Being Pretty", there's a family with two children.

[@v4ru_194]

Willow Wisp I agree there are indeed families with more than one child