Crush: MegaComputer's charming story about two old cable cars and a scrap dealer

In Crush, we see a mix of MegaComputer's signature cartoon CG animation with 2D characterisation for some elements, bringing to life two cable cars known as Chassure and Chausette – that's Sock and Shoe if you didn't know. The pair have been pals since their installation in Val Thorens, a ski town located in the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps.

Unfortunately, "all good things must come to an end," so explains Passion Pictures, the producers behind the short, when they have to be replaced by new cable cars. "Pierre, the scrap dealer, grew up with Chaussure and Chassuette and has always imagined them as friends but just before he was about to crush them, memories start flooding back and decides to spend their last moments together," adds Passion.

Val Thorens approached MegaComputer's Camille Jalabert, Corentin Yvergniaux and Oscar Malet last year to create a short film with a theme of mountain and winter sports. Inspired by its iconic '80s cable cars, the collective of French directors decided to humanise them and turn the pair into a cute couple, using their replacement in the 2000s as great potential for a dramatic twist. "We love how animation allows you to make a character out of anything, and we were greatly inspired by films like Toy Story, The Blue Umbrella (Pixar short) or even internet videos from LeopARTnik for this short film," said MegaComputer, who are represented by Passion in London.

It's believed that Crush is eligible for the Oscars 2023 and so we could see an award-winner on our hands next year. Crush certainly has that magic MegaComputer is renowned for with its off-kilter sense of humour added to the beautiful CGI film featuring quirky characters we can't help but love. You can sit back and enjoy the film below.