Icarus [Ikarosz] (1996)

5 min; no dialog; Hungary; dir. Géza M. Tóth ; KEDD Animation Studio

This dramatic adaptation of the story of Icarus and his flight is a delightful example of sand animation, and well suited to the subject matter. The film opens with serene images of the beach, shells and waves crashing. Suddenly a human figure made out of a jumble of metal parts appears and scares away the birds as he sprouts wings and attempts to fly. He falls to the ground and shatters on the beach. He then re-composes himself and ascends the cliff to try again, but again he fails in his flight. The waves crash over him and he is revealed to be a human man. All of the metallic parts have disappeared and again he begins his ascent in a swimming/flying motion. The film ends on an ambiguous but seemingly positive note. With its focus on technology and perseverence, it is similar to 1976’s Icarus and the Wise Men by Fyodor Khitruk.

Ikarosz was nominated for the Golden-Bear at Berlin International Film Festival. Other awards include Augsburg International Independent Film Festival, 1997, (Grand Prix); Dresden Animation and Short Film Festival, 1998, (Special Prize); “KROK-97” Film Festival, Kiev, 1997, (Special Prize).

More: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283398/?ref_=tt_rvi_tt_t_6