Elephant

1:56 min | HD | Loop | Haltern, Germany

"Elephant in the Room" is a well-known English idiom referring to an obvious issue that is deliberately ignored. In Marcin’s short film Elephant, the central character—a young woman in a light, flowing dress and high heels—wanders through a sunlit summer forest. Suddenly, she forms her fingers into the shape of a gun and mimics firing shots in various directions. As the sound of gunfire echoes, she is struck in the chest, and blood spreads across her dress. Nevertheless, she continues her walk, calm and composed, until she stumbles upon a bambi lying in a clearing.

The depiction of the woman’s body as the target contrasts sharply with the fact that she is the one "shooting." In the end, she finds her reflection in the form of the bambi—a sculptural, symbolic figure of a large, vulnerable creature lying still. Through this subtle and symbolic narrative, Marcin thoughtfully examines themes of self-definition, vulnerability, and the complex forces of social conditioning. The film carries a bittersweet undertone, blending absurdity with moments of dark humor.