Harvie Krumpet

Details

Written, directed and animated by Adam Elliot, and narrated by Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush (Shine), Harvie Krumpet is the remarkable animated short that has been charming audiences the world over and has won over 14 major international film awards, including the 2004 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Soon to be available on DVD courtesy of Metrodome, this release of Harvie Krumpet comes complete with a host of extras, including Adam Elliot's earlier award winning animated short films, Uncle, Cousin and Brother, and his first student film, Human Behavioural Case Studies, Part One.

Harvie Krumpet tells the poignantly funny biographical tale of the eponymous hero, an ordinary man seemingly cursed with perpetual bad luck. Following a difficult childhood in Poland, at the age of 18 Harvie loses his parents to the freezing weather before being forced to flee to Australia when the Germans invade his homeland.

As his life progresses, his many tribulations involve infertility, being struck by lightning, losing a testicle and Alzheimer's disease. Despite his considerable misfortune, Harvie's zest for life never wavers and he finds love in the arms of a nurse, Valerie Burstall, and rejuvenation and excitement through his friendship with a fellow Alzheimer's sufferer, Hamish McGrumbel. Despite this, as his illness worsens, Harvie succumbs to depression and thoughts of suicide. Then, a special woman enters his life and steers him towards a new realisation about life...

Uncle, Cousin and Brother, (collectively known as "The Trilogy") have screened at over 300 festivals throughout the world, winning over fifty awards, including 4 Australian Film Institute Awards (the Australian equivalent of the Oscars). The films form a trio of childhood remembrances, each based on the titular character: the uncle with his lemon tree, Chihuahua and crumpets; the cousin with a "special arm" and a fondness for pet rocks and activities involving shopping trolleys; and the asthma-suffering brother who has head lice and collects cigarette butts.

Deeply moving and full of humour and pathos, Adam Elliot's brilliant animated observations regarding the human condition have touched audiences the world over.

Harvie Krumpet will be released on DVD by Metrodome on 11th April 2005.