The Hat

by Jurij Devetak

Klobuk, animated, 2D animation, digital DCP, 1,77:1 (16:9), 24, b/w, 7 min
In progress

SI, IT

Duško, a gloomy and angry man, walks through gray city streets to his office, shielding himself from pigeon droppings and ignoring a street pianist, despite dropping two coins into the hat. He works in a neglected building called FACTORY, where smiling images watch over employees typing under their boss’s gaze. After submitting his final page, Duško is abruptly fired and leaves with empty pockets. Spotting the pianist’s hat, he sneaks closer and suddenly falls into it. He enters a colorful, imaginary world where he becomes a childlike drawing and rediscovers joy through music. Playing the piano, he animates the world around him and feels happiness for the first time. Back in reality, confused but smiling, he resumes playing as coins land in the hat and factory chimneys keep smoking.

screenwriter
Jurij Devetak
director
Jurij Devetak
producer
Miha Černec
co-producer
David Cej
executive producer
Mihaela Trupi
lead animator
Jurij Devetak
music composer
Tommy Budin
sound designer
Julij Zornik

production
Tramal Films
co-production
Staragara IT
co-funding
Slovenian Film Centre, Regional audiovisual fund Friuli Venezia Giulia
distribution
Staragara
sales
Staragara

Stara Gara
Miha Černec
miha@staragara.com

“Hat (Klobuk) is a short animated tragicomedy visually inspired by silent films and cartoons of the early 20th century, where grotesque aesthetics intertwine with the contemporary world. The story follows a frustrated clerk who, through the hat of a street musician, discovers art and a renewed sense of hope. The film is conceived in traditional pose-to-pose animation, with an emphasis on organic drawing, the contrast between light and shadow, and music as the central carrier of rhythm and narrative.”

Tramal Films is a production company established in 2009 with the main aim of producing documentaries. Our first noted work, the documentary A Fight For (2014, S. Gačić), was recognised as the best feature film of the year at the FSF and screened at the DokuFest in Prizren, the Cleveland IFF, the unDependence FF, and elsewhere as well. Recently, Tramal Films has also become increasingly established as a production house focusing on creative documentaries and fiction films made by young directors with creative international perspectives. Tramal’s several recent films have received the support of the Creative Europe programme.