Hey everyone, Capone in Chicago here.

So here's the thing about Don Hertzfeldt: the guy is a certifiable genius. Anyone who has watched his glorious and hilarious hand-drawn animated shorts "Billy's Balloon," "Ah, L'Amour," or "Rejected" knows this already, and you've more than likely watched these shorts more times than you can count, especially the truly inspired "Rejected." But beginning with "The Meaning of Life" and continuing on to the 2006-07 exercise in mental gymnastics "Everything will be ok," the Oscar-nominated Hertzfeldt has gone from being a gifted writer and animator of comic shorts into a more existential realm that faithfully examines the way the human mind works and doesn't work. He's showing us the mental movie that runs inside a fractured mind, while maintaining a level of humor, but adding a blanket of melancholy and despair. One could see these recent works as a portrait of a man trying to fend off a psychological meltdown, or perhaps this is said meltdown in its earliest incarnation. Most importantly, Hertzfeldt has transformed himself from animator and storyteller into a true artist. And his latest work, "I am so proud of you" is heartfelt proof of this.

His longest short to date, this new piece is something of a follow-up to "Everything will be ok," and much like that work, it's impossible to summarize or explain. You just need to see it, and in doing so, you'll understand that behind Hertzfeldt's countless triumphs and accolades over the years is a man with some serious issues in dealing with the everyday world. This is the first of his films that got a genuinely deep emotional response from me, and I think it's accurate to say I was fairly devastated after watching it, which of course forced me to watch it again.

But don't take my word for it. Go see it for yourself in an evening of really special events. On Friday, October 24 Hertzfeldt will be in Chicago as part of his North American tour for an "Evening with Don Hertzfeldt" at the famed Music Box Theatre. A second show has just been added, so advanced tickets are now available for a 8:00pm show (I'll be moderating this particular Q&A) and an 11:30pm show. First off, a selection of Don's classic animated shorts will be screened, concluding with "I am so proud of you." After the shorts, what is sure to be one of the most awkward and uncomfortable Q&As you'll ever see will commence. You do no want to miss this rare event. I've heard from people I trust who have seen Hertzfeldt do Q&As that he's a bit shy and reserved, which surprises me not even a little. But hopefully, great questions and an enthusiastic crowd will lure some excellent responses from him.

And what if you don't live in Chicago or can't make the trip? Perhaps Don is coming to a city near you. He's already hit the Northwest as well as the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin recently. Chicago is about the midway point on this tour, which then takes Hertzfeldt to Omaha, Calgary, Atlanta, Allentown, Rochester, New York City, Denver, and Los Angeles on November 30. Check Bitter Films website for specific dates and locations. I implore you if you live in one of the towns not to miss this evening of classic animation and a chance to spent a little time with this talented artist.

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com