The Hand Open this page in a new window for printing
Ruka
19 minutes, 35 mm, colour, 1965
Puppet animation
Audience: adults
Commentary: none

Producer: KF a.s. - Jiri Trnka Studio
Director: Jiri Trnka
Designer: Jiri Trnka

A tragicomic story of a little man who wishes to make a flower-pot for his beloved flower and an almighty and always present hand that forces the man to create a portrait celebrating it. It is a horrifying protest against any violence restraining human freedom, emotions, creative force or life. It is one of the milestones of Czech and world animation. In 1984 the American Film Academy declared it the fifth best animated picture in history.

Awards: Jury's special prize - Annecy 1965, First prize in the category of cartoons - Bergamo 1965, Silver prize - Melbourne 1966, The best film of all festival years - an award from critics - Annecy 1990

All films directed by Jiri Trnka:
About the Golden Fish • Ancient Czech Myths • The Animals and the People of Petrov • Archangel Gabriel and Ms Goose • Bajaja • The Cybernetic Grandmother • The Devil's Mill • The Emperor's Nightingale • From Hatvan to Galicia • From Hatvan to Halic • From Putim to Putim • The Gift • Grandpa Planted a Beet • The Hand • The "Hurvinek" Circus • The Jolly Circus • The Midsummer Night's Dream • The Novel With the Double-bass • Passion • Prairie Aria • Schweik's Misfortunes on the Train • The Spring-Man and the SS • Svejk Trouble in a Train • Svejk's Budejovice Anabasis • A Treasury of Fairy-tales • Two Little Frosts

All films designed by Jiri Trnka:
About the Golden Fish • Ancient Czech Myths • The Animals and the People of Petrov • Archangel Gabriel and Ms Goose • Bajaja • The Beatitude of Love • The Cybernetic Grandmother • The Devil's Mill • The Emperor's Nightingale • From Hatvan to Galicia • From Putim to Putim • The Gift • The Ginger-bread House • Grandpa Planted a Beet • The Hand • The "Hurvinek" Circus • The Jolly Circus • The Midnight Adventure • The Midsummer Night's Dream • The Novel With the Double-bass • One Glass Too Many • Passion • Prairie Aria • Schweik's Misfortunes on the Train • The Spring-Man and the SS • A Treasury of Fairy-tales • Two Little Frosts • Umbrella