Helga Kurth

The very first images in the film set unprecedented standards in East German animated film: a Buñuelean eye that fills the entire screen, real-life sequences of fleeing animals and a sound collage running contrary to what is seen on the screen. This also extends to the protagonist of the film, a head on a foot without a body or arms who pads wearily through the depressing surroundings. Upon seeing various figures in the sky, he begins to copy their movements. To his surprise, he himself manages to grow wings and takes to the skies. But his attempt at flight ends in a sobering manner however, as it is revealed that flying creatures are just restricted in their range.

A little mouse who is fed up with her bad life in winter wishes to be a kitten. The magic lantern grants her wish. As soon as she becomes a cat, she is chased by a dog and finally snatched by the strongest cat in the neighborhood. The cat keeps scenting the mouse, but can't figure out her secret. Only when the mouse cat's friends try to save her does the situation become frightening.

For his mockery a witch transforms the pert boy Jacob into an ugly dwarf, but teaches him at the same time how to cook. Jacob quickly becomes a master of his trade and is named the prince's first cook. Only the mysterious herb "sneeze-with-passion" is unknown to him. Based on a fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff.

A conversation between King Pyrrhus and Kineas about the increasingly terrible campaigns of conquest is illustrated. When world domination is achieved, the earth will be a deserted wasteland, with only Pyrrhus and Kineas remaining. They wonder what they will do then.

A wise old man teaches a boy the art of building. The boy develops outstanding skills. He builds the most magnificent palaces, but something inside him atrophies. The flip side of humanity, the shadow, grows beyond him.

One morning, the little mouse crawls out of its hole and decides to have a look around. He hops over hill and dale, marvels at grasses and flowers, overcomes holes and hills, experiences a thunderstorm and an adventurous trip on the water and finally returns tired to his hiding place at home. She proudly believes she has seen the whole wide world.

This short film is an animated interpretation of the Suite No. 4 by the music ensemble Bayon, which was founded in East Germany in 1971. Bayon’s music is a unique combination of Khmer pentatonic music with elements of classical, jazz and rock.