Skhizein (2008) User Reviews

Why wasn't this film nominated?

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 16 February 2009]

Like last year, I went to a special showing of the Oscar-nominated animated short films. However, unlike last year, in addition to the nominees, several "commended films" were also shown. In this review I'll make my predictions, though if it's anything like last year's choices, I'll probably once again pick the wrong shorts as my favorite for the award.

As far as SKHIZEIN being a commended film, this surprised me because it was clearly better than several of those that received the nomination. That's because the animation was so unique with SKHIZEIN and the story was also truly one of a kind. If the Academy wishes to honor the unique and revolutionary, then what better choice than this film? Instead, somehow LAVATORY LOVE STORY (a very, very simply drawn film with an enjoyable but schmaltzy story) and OKTAPODI (too short and simple to deserve nomination) were nominated and SKHIZEIN didn't. Fortunately, as a commended film, it will at least receive more widespread viewing if that's a consolation.

SKHIZEIN is a strange film that begins with a man at a psychiatrist's office talking about his problem. It seems that since a meteorite struck nearby, he's been "out of phase". In other words, every thing he does is 91 centimeters off (that's a yard for all of us non-metric folks)! When he goes to the toilet, for example, he needs to stand 91 centimeters to the right or he'll miss! And, when he wants to look out the window, he puts his head through the wall next to the window! It's all very strange yet compelling. What is also strange is the animation style. While it uses CGI, the look is totally unique and the main character looks a lot like a child's drawing or the David character from David Shannon's books.

Unique, compelling and clever--what more could you want from an animated short?!

The World Is the Other

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 28 June 2019]

When one tries to define or demonstrate schizophrenia, one always starts with a disorder of the brain. Our brain is "not working" properly. This film takes us to a different place where we can experience this phenomenon, where the person wants to be stable, but the world he lives in is 91 centimeters off. He can live but he battles for every moment of his existence. And, of course, those around hm are torture to him.

Inspiring and sad

[rockiwi · 9/10 · 26 December 2012]

This movie is truly inspiring! It's depressive, though. But definitely worth seeing. I actually like the animation style. Original and appropriate for the story. However, it's not a children's animation. It's mature, it's sad.

I would have expected a false sophistication of the movie from the beginning - but it's not like this. It has depth, it is creative and clever. The saddest thing is how he is only one who sees himself as he is and no one understands his condition. But he keeps fighting it. Just like everyone else in some way. And of course, the end is heartbreaking as I almost shed a tear.

Certainly underrated.

Conclusion: You must see it!! This is without doubt among the best short animation films I have ever seen.

a man

[Kirpianuscus · 3 January 2019]

I saw it as a parable. And, as a schizoid person, I love it very much. First- for animation itself. Second - for inspired story. And for beautiful atmosphere. And for its wise message. An asteroid and a man. Reduced at 91 centimeters of his life. Fighting against not ordinary situation. And defining his presence in brave manner. Nothing complicated, nothing unusual. Only demonstration of high craft.

91 Centimeters from Oneself

[Rectangular_businessman · 9/10 · 29 December 2012]

This was such a fascinating and underrated short, with a very original and pleasant visual style, which makes a great use of CGI. The characters designs were very cute, contrasting with the tone of the story.

The plot was well crafted and smart, combining subtle humor with a serious subtext: While the premise of somebody being affected by the contact with one meteorite could sound like something from one science-fiction or a comic-book story, "Skhizein" takes a more intimate perspective, focusing in how the effects of the meteorite changes the life and personality of the main character.

One interesting aspect from the plot of "Skhizein" is that, besides of the protagonist, nobody seems to notice how he has to be exactly ninety-one centimeters from everything. Instead of that, they only notice some little changes of his usual behavior. Personally, I see this as an allegory of the feelings of isolation and loneliness that people could have in modern times, and that's why I found very easy to relate with the main character of this short, despite the strangeness of the story.

Fascinating story and good graphics

[bettytuan0209 · 8/10 · 28 December 2012]

The story is quite interesting. A man is 91cm away from himself after struck being struck by a meteorite.

The graphics is very nice. I also love the tone of the film. As previously mentioned, the animation style looks a little childish, which I found refreshing. Because of the subject, the film has a little sadness and darkness to it. The tone aligns with the man's pain from coping with his life. I could almost feel his misery and suffering. The French also sounded great.

Only thing I'm not quite satisfied with is not having a more definite ending. I sure hope more people get to see films like this.

Astonishing Short film

[Marwan-Bob · 8/10 · 16 December 2019]

Thought-provoking and moving animated tale of societal displacement. Beautifully scored, subtly and gently expressed.

1% Odds

[berkecanrizai · 10/10 · 16 September 2020]

This shorts meaning isn't just fantasy story where a man's body is shifted, it is real. I believe one in hundred is the rate of delusional experiences in general population from what I have read. Movie excels at both telling the story from the mind of him and also showing how it is really unnoticable from the outside. Musics, drawings and animations are in such a good harmony that I didn't even notice how 13mins went by. I can recommend it to everyone.

Interesting idea, but somehow not working

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 12 August 2015]

"Skhizein" is a French animated short film from 7 years ago and deals with the premise of a man who is living exactly 91 centimeters besides himself after he got struck by an asteroid. He sits basically in the air while driving a car and stands in front of the bathtub when he pees into the toilet. There were some funny moments in this short film like when he lies right next to the sofa in the air, but all in all, it's just not really interesting and the moment we grasp the idea, it also quickly gets uninteresting. Apart from that, the animation isn't particularly great, could have been 30 years older too the way it looks, and everything that happens after when he tries to get struck again is just completely obscure and not really easy to understand. I think this short film should have stopped the moment when he gets struck again. I cannot say that Jérémy Clapin's effort here made me curious about his other works. The voice acting comes from Julien Boisselier who could be known at least to French audiences. Also there are obvious story flaws with these 13 minutes. What happened to him is real and completely physical and why would he go see a psychiatrist about it? That is only one of a couple. Not recommended. If you still want to watch it, make sure you get subtitles if you don't speak French. Then again you do not really need to understand every word to understand the action.