Harpya

a man saves an "interesting" type of bird's life and takes it to his home. but the bird (or bird like human or whatever) slowly starts to ruin the man's freedom to eat or to go outside. all the food is eaten by the so called "bird" and while the man is trying to escape, bird eats his lower part of the body. with the help of a phonograph, he manages to escape from the house but cannot escape from his destiny.

this 9 minute masterpiece has used the animation techniques very smartly although it has been done in 1979. the idea was not explained with cliché techniques either. from the film I understood that a man who helps another might dig his own grave by doing this. cause the one whom you have helped may not help you back. besides he/she can even harm you. so I think this short film was arguing whether one should be individualistic or not (with a pessimistic view.

a must see for all short film and animation addicts.

I was impressed by this animated short. It had some very clever animation and provided an interesting take on a Greek myth. Can't remember the name, but I think it's about this man who tries to eat fruit from a tree, but every time he reaches for it, it gets eaten away by giant birds. That's his eternal punishment, kinda like Sysiphos, who rolls his rock up a mountain just to see it roll down every time he reaches the top. Finally found a short that I admired, and that had something to say too. 8/10

I had never heard of this film until less than a half hour ago and now that I've seen it I cannot believe it had ever escaped my knowledge previously! THIS is what filmmaking is all about! It's damn brilliant, and one of the creepiest films I've ever seen, regardless of length. It's a bit confusing as there is likely a bit more context one would need in order to totally understand the overall point of the film (harpies obviously come from mythology, and it feels like this short contains many references to said mythology and may be a parable of sorts); however, regardless of my knowledge on other matters, "Harpya" was one fun ride! It's highly experimental, utilizing a bizarre technique combining animation and live action to eerie effects...basically the definition of the "uncanny valley". It also seemed to have a surreal sense of black humor that recalls the great Jan Svankmajer, an animation genius who I admire above most other filmmakers, so a recollection of him in favorable response to a film is always a good sign from me!

I must say now that i rarely give any movie as high a rating as I've done here. I saw this short film on Eat Carpet in the middle of the night with a couple of friends and by the time it was finished we were so paranoid that our feet were tucked up on the couch with us. this short is absolutely brilliant. it uses a surreal texture drawn collage background with delayed-frame images in the foreground to create artistic and unsettling atmosphere. the harpy itself looks terrifying, especially when it feeds. the musical score fits brilliantly with the somewhat shocking messiness of the harpy's actions. the absence of words adds to the atmosphere. it is truly creepy there is honestly nothing that i can say is wrong with this film. it is perfect and is one of the only things I've seen that has actually truly creeped me out. i strongly recommend that anybody and everybody views this movie alone in the dark when u already feel insecure and uneasy. it is truly amazing!

I saw this when I was very young and have never forgotten it. I recently unearthed it and was still very disturbed by it. It seems to have a direct affect on me and I find the harpya itself quite terrifying. Waiting for it to appear as the poor man is trying to escape is extremely tense and makes me feels very anxious. It is a disturbing portrait of how life has spiralled out of control for the protagonist and he is now kept trapped by this strange creature, forced to be subservient to it and pander to its hungry needs. A nightmarish film which has stayed with me for many years. As disturbing as The Vanishing(original) or Eraserhead but due to its length leaves a strong aftertaste that remains. Powerful stuff and unique.