Thursday, September 1, 2011

Harvie Krumpet: The father of Mary and Max

Director: Adam Elliot
Year: 2003

Following the previous posts about the stellar "Mary and Max," I was moved to check out this short film by the same director, Adam Elliott. And after watching 2003's Oscar-winning "Harvie Krumpet," it's clear to see what the links between it and the latter film.

"Krumpet" tells the story of a man with Tourette Syndrome. Born in Poland, Harvie emigrates to Australia after the death of both parents. His life is fraught with bad luck--one accident leaves him with a metal plate in his head that attracts all manner of objects. But there's joy too--Harvie marries and he and his wife adopt a daughter who grows up to be a superb student and later a lawyer. Along the way, we watch as Harvie finds himself--becoming a nudist and a champion of animal rights--all the while writing down "fakts" which he keeps in a small book hung around his neck.

It's odd, charming, sad and funny all at the same time--just like "Mary and Max." Some of the same set pieces appear in both films, expanded and refined in the latter movie. But six years before he unleashed his masterpiece on the world, Elliott had already come up with the blueprint in a strange, kind and ultimately wonderful man.

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