Synopsis

Murder from the grass made ze frantic to find the horse they were talking about. Ze saw the thorn in the fool's nipple, the secret of the tribe's faith, the ray of light in the flood.Burn it all! Out of the ashes rang the voice of the horse.

Curators’ note

What does a man’s life have to do with a horse’s? Kill the Horse, directed by Xiaoruo Guo and inspired by a folktale, explores the mysterious human-horse connection and the collapse and rebuilding of faith by inviting us into a beautifully crafted animated world. Minimalist yet infused with a touch of traditional Chinese painting, the film’s unique animation style highlights the story’s cultural setting in rural China and its themes of nature and tribal life, while showcasing the creator’s exquisite skills. At a time when the relationship between humans, other creatures, and nature has become an ever more urgent question, this short film compels viewers to reflect on themes of personal freedom, societal practices, and anthropogenic impacts.（Na Xu)

Director’s bio

Xiaoruo Guo now lives and works in Hangzhou, China.

KILL THE HORSE won the Golden Goblet Award Best Animated Short Film at the 2024 Shanghai International Film Festival.

He worked on the animated film "Art college 1994" directed by Liu Jian, which was selected for the main competition of the 73rd Berlin Film Festival.

Director‘s statement

No media can ever be 100% objective, especially images captured on camera. When I discovered these old VHS tapes, I was struck by how close my sister and father once seemed—a stark contrast to the cold relationship I’ve known for as long as I can remember. This dichotomy became the main theme in my journey: which narrative better represents reality - the one captured by the family videocamera 20 years ago or the one I filmed on this family trip?

Festival & Awards

The Golden Goblet Award Best Animated Short Film at the 2024 Shanghai International Film Festival.

Casts

Arnold Tam


Credits