Where can I watch Little Otik?

In the surreal and poignant 2000 film Little Otik, directed by Jan Švankmajer, the heart-wrenching journey of a childless couple unfolds with a blend of animation, comedy, and drama. When the couple discovers they cannot conceive, the husband, desperate to comfort his wife, crafts a wooden figure from a root he unearths in their backyard. To his astonishment, his wife becomes enamored with the creation, believing it to be a real child. This whimsical yet darkly humorous premise sets the stage for a captivating exploration of longing, obsession, and the nature of motherhood.

As the story progresses, the couple’s relationship is tested in unsettling ways, revealing the fragility of their emotional state. The anthropomorphized wooden child, whom they name Otik, becomes a source of both joy and chaos, leading to bizarre and tragic consequences. Švankmajer artfully blends stop-motion animation with live-action, creating a visually arresting experience that echoes the couple's fantasies and fears. Little Otik invites viewers to reflect on the lengths to which people will go to fill emotional voids, making it a unique and thought-provoking film that balances whimsy with darker themes of desperation and distorted reality. This film is a must-watch for those who appreciate unconventional storytelling and a mix of the absurd with the heartfelt.