Big is beautiful

July 4, 2001
Issue 
454

Picture

The Big Animal
Directed by Jerzy Stuhr
Stars Jerzy Stuhr, Anna Dynna
2000 Sydney Film Festival

REVIEW BY MARGARET ALLUM

The big animal of the title is not one often found in small towns in Poland. A circus camel has been left behind and attached itself to Zygmunt (Jerzy Stuhr) and his wife Marysia (Anna Dymna).

At first it is a novelty for the townsfolk as Zygmunt takes the camel for a daily walk around town, but then the complaints start. the animal becomes an "unwanted sensation" it "befouls the streets, distracts the children, and may carry strains of African V.D.!". This, along with the nightmare of bureaucracy thrown up by the local council, would be enough to make anyone abandon their new pet. But Zygmunt and Marysia have become attached to their new companion, and nothing is going to change that.

This is a very appealing and touching film. The screenplay was written in 1973 by Krzysztof Kieslowski (Three Colours: Blue, Red and White).

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