The Surprised Watchman (2025)

Absurdity is closer than it seems.

The Surprised Watchman (2025) poster

At the border between the earthly and the otherworldly sits an old watchman, observing a fly. His thoughts are interrupted by a strange young man who asks, “How do I get to heaven?” What follows is an absurd, at times comical and unsettling dialogue filled with mistrust and irony. The watchman, bound by routine, faces something beyond logic. The young man, without a ticket but full of conviction, insists heaven awaits him. In the quiet, mysterious ending, the young man vanishes, leaving only a white feather — and a question: what was that? A short animated parable about boundaries, misunderstanding, and the mystery of crossing worlds, with absurdist humor in the spirit of Kharms or Kafka.

Director: Michael Reichel Dudov
Genre: Animation
Runtime: 4 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Production: URI Animation
Country: Israel
Language: Pусский
Original Language: en

Keywords

israel animation, the surprised watchman, dudov

Trailer

The Surprised Watchman Trailer

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More Films in Genre: Animation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Surprised Watchman about?
At the border between the earthly and the otherworldly sits an old watchman, observing a fly. His thoughts are interrupted by a strange young man who asks, “How do I get to heaven?” What follows is an absurd, at times comical and unsettling dialogue filled with mistrust and irony. The watchman, bound by routine, faces something beyond logic. The young man, without a ticket but full of conviction, insists heaven awaits him. In the quiet, mysterious ending, the young man vanishes, leaving only a white feather — and a question: what was that? A short animated parable about boundaries, misunderstanding, and the mystery of crossing worlds, with absurdist humor in the spirit of Kharms or Kafka.
Who directed The Surprised Watchman?
The Surprised Watchman was directed by Michael Reichel Dudov.
Who stars in The Surprised Watchman?
The Surprised Watchman stars Maxim Avdeev, Maxim Avdeev.
How long is The Surprised Watchman?
The Surprised Watchman has a runtime of 4m (4 minutes).
What genre is The Surprised Watchman?
The Surprised Watchman is a Animation film.
Where was The Surprised Watchman produced?
The Surprised Watchman was produced in Israel.