Out of all the titles you might give to an abnormally disconnected recluse whose primary pastimes are performing taxidermy and watching television among his menagerie of stuffed companions, “anti-hero” doesn’t quite feel like the two word combo you’d gravitate toward. But that’s exactly what’s at the core of the macabre short film ANIMAL CONTROL, screening this Wednesday and Friday at the Toronto Film Festival (see details here) and starring creepy character actor Julian Richings (CUBE, SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD, KINGDOM HOSPITAL, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND). The twisted minifilm, from Canadian writer/director Kire Paputts, boasts a resounding amount of heart to go along with its dark images. Though the 17-minute-long movie exhibits no spoken dialogue from its irregular protagonist, ANIMAL CONTROL has quite a bit to say. FANGORIA got a chance to dissect this twisted little tale, share some exclusive pics (see below the jump) and interview both its star and director to get to the heart…or loins…or bones of the matter.