The Runt

"Alright, I give you the Runt. But you take care of it, and you kill it in one year" said my uncle.

Script, design, direction: Andreas Hykade
Animation: Andreas Hykade, Ralf Bohde
Artwork: Natalia Eck,
Frauke Striegnitz, Helene Tragesser
Digital effects: Ruth Weber
Technical direction: Tobias Pfeiffer
Music: Ulrich Reuter
Sound: Floridan Tonstudios
Funding: MFG, BKM, HFF, Kuratorium
Production: Thomas Meyer-Hermann
Studio FILM BILDER, 2006

Awards:
Golden Zagreb Prize, Animafest Zagreb, Croatia, 2008
Grand Prix for the best film, AniFest 2007, Trebon, Czech Republic, 2007
First Prize für independent works (6 - 30'), Kalamazoo Festival, USA, 2007
FIPRESCI Award, International Animated Film Festival Annecy, France, 2007
Grand Jury Prize, Anima 2007, Cordoba, Argentina, 2007
Grand Prix des Rencontres du Cinema d'Animation de Wissembourg, France, 2007
German Short Film Award, Potsdam-Babelsberg, 2007
Award for best story, Festival of Animation Arts, St. Petersburg, 2007
Grand Prix for Animation, "Black Nights", Tallinn, 2006

[koroconnell]

an infinitely dark, achingly human fairy tale... no right or wrong, only truth. Will never cease to break my heart

[Liliputian]

This wasn't a sad story. It wasn't even bittersweet. It was uncomfortable, in a beautiful and human way. I'm actually taken aback by this particular artist's animations.

[cateyedwitch]

I feel like the blue bunny represents innocence, the boy represents human kind and the uncle represents reality.

[theultumzero]

I love art that is open to interpretation. It always seemed more human, the way people look at the same thing and take a different meaning out of it.

[zr]

This is a perfect parable of how society and tradition work and are forced onto the next generation.
There are three runts, not one - the father, the son, the little rabbit.
The father apparently did have to get through a similar test, in his youth. He has yielded, as did, reluctantly, his son.
Very clever.

[MrBlitzpunk]

i really really love how filmbilder challenges our brain to look for meaning eventhough some of their videos might not have any at all and is simply just a short film

but either way, these videos are truly an art

[georgehickman]

Growing up on a farm, I can really relate to this story. People like to distance themselves from the violence and pain of eating meat and outsource that pain; but we are still part of a part of the process. Farming/hunting is hard; the answer "quick" is good, but would be better coupled with "respect." What helps me to butcher chickens was realizing that they only live 3 years and often die in much 'slower' and more painful manners if not eaten; hawks, coyotes, old age; one could argue these are worse than human consumption.

[Octopetala]

To me, the rabbit represents innocence and childhood. The boy represents youth and naivety. The uncle represents reality and adulthood.

[Patricknotstarr]

Don't befriend someone you know you're going to lose.

[babygirll]

excuse me while I go cry in the corner, with a blanket, stuffies, cookies, milk. Anyone want to join me? i got plenty of all

Edit: it's been 3 years and this the most likes I got ever! Ty lovely people ;)

[skipp]

This is the most intimidating uncle I've ever seen O.o

[Basiliskeye]

This was a very personal and emotional film. Although there is grief in this, so too does life. This wasn't a horrible thing, this boy made a big step in growing up. I bet most of the people in the comments who are saying this is sad and horrible probably have no problem eating a big steak, as long as it doesn't have a face on it.

[platypusman]

This story really speaks to me. I'm not a tree hugger and I like this very much. I remember when I was seven and one of my rats died. Of course I cried. That was the first time and only time in my life that I ever was exposed to the reality of death. This was the first and only time in my life that my dad cried.

[lunapotatochip]

yes, it is a sad story but that's how life works. that's why you don't play with the animals you have to kill and don't kill the animals that you have played with. but i still think the animation is wonderful and it's such a true story.

[kanealson]

Very interesting view of things. Basic and not preachy. I don't enjoy killing animals but I certainly will and do eat them. Reminds me of how in some cultures they have a reverence for the life of their food sources. Maybe we all should have a thanksgiving at every meal. Maybe we used to. You notice the men wore the rabbit ears in homage.

[riashroff]

Beautiful animation, such a sad story :'(

[TobicalStudios]

This is rather an upsetting tale that affected me. I heard that my brother's rabbit died in the beginning of this year, 2020 due an unexpected reason. Unlike that my family's black cat died in 2012 unexpectedly, but I feel bad for him.

[TheCaboose]

Wish the uncle would've you know, let the kid practice swinging the club. Glad he atleast stepped in.

[sadsackofflour]

Very well done and interesting. I enjoy things that make me think a little bit, and it's with something that doesn't paint a clear set of villains or morals but still feels like it tells a simple yet important story. Nothing wrong with a bit of questioning in our lives and whatnot.

[eqfigueiredo]

It aches, but it is the truth. I'm very fond of the script and the design.