“World of Tomorrow Episode Two: The Burden of Other People’s Thoughts” by Austin animator Don Hertsfeldt, on VOD today Credit: Image courtesy of Bitter Films

“World of Tomorrow Episode Two: The Burden of Other People’s Thoughts” by Austin animator Don Hertsfeldt, on VOD today Credit: Image courtesy of Bitter Films

Who’s ready to go back to the future (no, not that future)? Austin animation revolutionary Don Hertzfeldt has just released the sequel to his strange and sweet 2015 Oscar-nominated smash “World of Tomorrow” on VOD.

Following on from the first film, “Episode Two” (or to use its full and correct title, “World of Tomorrow Episode Two: The Burden of Other People’s Thoughts”) uses recordings of Hertzfeldt’s niece Emily. She provides the voice of Emily Prime, a small girl bustled and cajoled through inexplicable corners of reality by babbling, burbling future clones of herself.

“Episode Two” debuted at Fantastic Fest 2017, when the Chronicle‘s Marjorie Baumgarten called it “more convoluted and far-flung (than episode one), but no less buoyed by its humor and more intricately animated backgrounds.”

After a blisteringly successful festival run, the home town favorite has finally arrived on Vimeo for $4.99 for a one-week rental. If you haven’t caught the first part yet, that’s streaming on Netflix.

For more on “World of Tomorrow Episode Two: The Burden of Other People’s Thoughts,” read Hertzfeldt’s interview with Marc Savlov from November, and dive deep into the trailer:

This article appears in December 29 • 2017.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.