8.2 /10 1 Votes
4.2/5 Mubi Distributed by Krátký Film Praha Running time 18 minutes | 7.8/10 Letterboxd Directed by Jiří Trnka Music by Václav Trojan Release date 1965 Initial release 1965 (Czechoslovakia) Screenplay Jiří Trnka Cinematography Jirí Safár | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nominations BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film Similar Prince Bayaya, The Czech Year, A Midsummer Night's Dr, The Emperor's Nightingale, Old Czech Legends | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Hand (Czech: Ruka) is a 1965 Czechoslovak stop motion puppet animation film directed by Jiří Trnka. It was Trnka's final film. American Film Academy declared The Hand the 5th best animated picture in history.
Contents
The Film was first released in 1965. When Trnka died in 1969, the film was banned due to its story that reflects a restrictive environment in which many artists had to work.
Jiri trnka and laurie anderson the hand
Plot
The film features a conflict between a powerless Harlequin and a powerful Hand. Harlequin is an artist who makes Sculptures. He is commanded by The Hand to make only sculptures of Hand but Harlequin decides to resist the Hand as he wishes to make ceramic pots for his flowers. The Hand tries to change his mind by threatening him, manipulating him or making him troubles.
The Hand eventually catches Harlequin by a trick and locks him in a cage where he makes the ordered Statue. The Hand rewards him with medals and laurels, but he becomes sad and decides to escape. He brings down the statue and makes a hole in the cage. He jumps out of the cage and runs away while being chased by the Hand. As he runs, he throws away all of his medals and laurels. He gets home in the end and barricades himself there. As he barricades a closet, a pot with a flower falls on him. Harlequin falls to the floor and sees his beloved flowers as he dies. When the Hand gets into the House, Harlequin is already dead. The Hand uses the closet as a coffin for Harlequin and makes a pompous funeral for him.
Legacy
Jiří Trnka Memorial that was unveiled in Pilsen on 17 November 2015, commemorates The Hand.
Server TimeOut listed The Hand in its list of top 10 best drama animated shorts on the sedond place.
Awards
List of awards received by The Hand: