No. 29 (2023) EO April. 16th.

 

Film No. 29  (2023)  April 16th.  2:30 PM ELECTRIC Palace , Cinema 3, Canberra.

"May all your dreams come true." (Eo's handler gives her friend her parting words as he is shipped from the circus, a life he has only ever known).

WINNER : Jury Prize (Jerzy Skolimowski) Cannes 2022;. Nominee: Best International Film (Jerzy Skolimowsly) Academy of USA.

Make no bones, this is a film made to lead all of human kind to be more empathetic to the world of animals. The ambassador for this message is a very lovable donkey, EO! Does it work? Yes! Well maybe ... I hope so. 

In a Polish made film of the docudrama variety, director Jerzy Skolimowski (11 MINUTES) take us on a journey with EO, a charismatic donkey, via a a window in his life. EO is totally at the Mercy of decisions made in a series of situations controlled by humans. We first see the tenuousness of his life in a circus where he is loved by his handlers. But the animal rights movement have their way and soon EO is in a new chapter of his life cycle; a "cart-horse" in a horse stud.

We become witness to a series of chapters in EO's journey. Our sympathies are totally with our four legged friend, but it is no feel-good adventure. Eighty four year old Skolimowski has a reputation for his moral messages. His, ESSENTIAL KILLING, has us travelling with a Taliban soldier in Afghanistan, desperately fighting for his existence in a war he is struggling to comprehend. In EO we are placed in the "fur" of a donkey, a donkey who has no control over his future as he struggles for his existence. 

In may senses EO is a story told in chapters. Each chapter is geared to stir our emotions as we invest in EO's future, never knowing if it is simply a feel-good story. Each human involved holds EO's future in their hands. Is empathy for our friend at the forefront of their decision making?  We are asked, how often do we take time to consider the fate of animals? And, do we care? 

EO was Poland's pride and joy at film festivals throughout 2022. A nominee at The Oscars, 2022, and a winner at Cannes (Jury Prize). It's a thought provoking watch.  9GUMS.