Living Canuck legend Cordell Barker recently unveiled his latest animated short film Runaway which is always a cause for celebration (check out the great behind the scenes video for Barker’s insight and funny accent). His two previous shorts were both nominated for Oscars. Above is his first, “The Cat Came Back.” Even 22 years later you can spot some stylistic and thematic similarities between it and Runaway, notably the train track sequence. Wonderfully unique animation, dark humor and exquisite use of music highlight Barker’s work.

Barker’s shorts, along with many other National Film Board of Canada gems, were on display during the short-lived Cartoon Network series O’Canada