Even more than most works of art, "Consuming Spirits" is a depiction of its own making.

Though he had collaborators, the animated film is largely the product of one person: producer/director/writer/editor/sound editor/animator/star (are you getting the picture here?) Chris Sullivan, a graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Showing Friday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 9, at Walker Art Center, "Spirits" has a plot, but its real subject seems to be the obsession and care that went into creating it.

"Spirits" has three main characters who, like the film, are trying to get ahold of the slippery past. Genny and Victor both work at a small-town newspaper and Earl is a radio host whose psycho gardening tips pop up throughout the 136-minute film.

Simultaneously macabre and tender, "Spirits" captures the textures of their lives through the accumulation of detail -- newspaper stories, government documents, family photos and the stories the characters tell each other.

Those items are so convincing and detailed that it almost feels like you've unearthed them in a stranger's attic. As, for instance, a character leafs through a pile of coroner's death reports and you realize each of them -- even the ones we see for less than a second -- has been completely filled out in a unique and distinctive style, it's impossible not to think about the hands that have meticulously assembled all of this detail. "Consuming Spirits" is a longish movie, but it doesn't feel long because there are so many times you wish you could stop the film and pore over everything crammed into the frame.

The story, which involves abuse and long-buried secrets, is apparently autobiographical, but "Spirits" feels less like Sullivan telling you his story than Sullivan inviting you to eavesdrop on his dreams.

Partly, that's because the film makes graceful, almost subliminal connections between images and characters. And partly, that's because of a mixed animation style Tyra Banks might call "ugly/beautiful."

It combines line drawings, puppets, stop-motion figures and models to achieve something that is lyrical and grotesque -- and that looks like no other movie you've ever seen.


What: "Consuming Spirits"

Where: Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9

Tickets: $9-$7

Call: 612-375-7600