Mjeteconer
Just perfect...
Sexyloutak
Absolutely the worst movie.
ThrillMessage
There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
framptonhollis
I had never heard of this film until less than a half hour ago and now that I've seen it I cannot believe it had ever escaped my knowledge previously! THIS is what filmmaking is all about! It's damn brilliant, and one of the creepiest films I've ever seen, regardless of length. It's a bit confusing as there is likely a bit more context one would need in order to totally understand the overall point of the film (harpies obviously come from mythology, and it feels like this short contains many references to said mythology and may be a parable of sorts); however, regardless of my knowledge on other matters, "Harpya" was one fun ride! It's highly experimental, utilizing a bizarre technique combining animation and live action to eerie effects...basically the definition of the "uncanny valley". It also seemed to have a surreal sense of black humor that recalls the great Jan Svankmajer, an animation genius who I admire above most other filmmakers, so a recollection of him in favorable response to a film is always a good sign from me!
Robert J. Maxwell
This eight-minute animated short film has more atmosphere, more dread, than a dozen slasher movies put together. A man rescues a strange, bird-like creature who is being strangled on a public street. He takes it home.The thing is a harpy, a woman with a bird's body, derived from Greek myths. It does only one thing -- snatching food out of human hands. Well -- this one is also capable of eating half its host, removing his body parts from the waist down.The harpy comes to dominate its rescuer's life. He begins to starve, sneaks out the door, tries to disguise himself as a statue, and chows down on some pomme frites, but the creature finds him and snatches the tidbits from his hand.Finally he attacks the harpy and begins to strangle it, just as its previous host had done, but a police officer runs up and bops the man on the head. We can only imagine what the police officer's life is going to be like, now that he's acquired this half-avian companion.There is no eerie music, none of the usual accompaniments of the unearthly tale, but every scene takes place at night and, with two slight exceptions, no one else is present.The original harpies were limited in their mischief to grabbing things out of your hands before you hand a chance to enjoy them, kind of like those long-tailed birds called "camp robbers" or like my ex wife, but in later tales they became vengeful, punishing those who had committed evil deeds, having been confused with the Eumenides or the Furies.It's short, but it's effective too.
ellkew
I saw this when I was very young and have never forgotten it. I recently unearthed it and was still very disturbed by it. It seems to have a direct affect on me and I find the harpya itself quite terrifying. Waiting for it to appear as the poor man is trying to escape is extremely tense and makes me feels very anxious. It is a disturbing portrait of how life has spiralled out of control for the protagonist and he is now kept trapped by this strange creature, forced to be subservient to it and pander to its hungry needs. A nightmarish film which has stayed with me for many years. As disturbing as The Vanishing(original) or Eraserhead but due to its length leaves a strong aftertaste that remains. Powerful stuff and unique.
krebstar
a man saves an "interesting" type of bird's life and takes it to his home. but the bird (or bird like human or whatever) slowly starts to ruin the man's freedom to eat or to go outside. all the food is eaten by the so called "bird" and while the man is trying to escape, bird eats his lower part of the body. with the help of a phonograph, he manages to escape from the house but cannot escape from his destiny.this 9 minute masterpiece has used the animation techniques very smartly although it has been done in 1979. the idea was not explained with cliché techniques either. from the film I understood that a man who helps another might dig his own grave by doing this. cause the one whom you have helped may not help you back. besides he/she can even harm you. so I think this short film was arguing whether one should be individualistic or not (with a pessimistic view.a must see for all short film and animation addicts.