EO is a future classic. Declaring its imminent legacy might seem premature to some, but it feels wholly appropriate after having witnessed the film’s singular, spectacular vision. 84-year-old director Jerzy Skolimowski’s film about a wayward donkey tells a story not just of human nature and goodwill but the reality of detachment and survival. Stark imagery combined with a pitch-perfect score and sound design, EO is a truly unforgettable piece of filmmaking.
Running just 88 minutes long, the film opens with a mesmerizing shot of EO and his handler performing one of their routine circus shows under the big top. Lights are flashing, the crowd is cheering – it’s disorienting but impossible to look away. EO remains calm under the pressure. Outside of the circus, however, local activists confront the traveling show with broad claims of animal abuse and rip EO from the comforts of his environment, taking him away from the only home and people he has ever known. He is boarded with the other animals and driven all over Europe for days before he is eventually dropped off at a barn in an unfamiliar destination.
Despite being “freed”, EO is restless and longs for the routine and the personal attention he received from his circus handler (Sandra Drzymalska). Without words, EO conveys his determination to change his circumstance through action as he escapes the barn and begins his journey back through the Polish and Italian countryside, encountering highs and lows–cruelty and kindness–in equal measure.
The protagonist of the picture, a gray Sardinian donkey named Tako, is the heart of the film. His expressive eyes and cheeky personality convey so much through subtle movements and melancholic grunts. Six donkeys were used throughout the filming process, and it’s been made clear that no animals were harmed in the making of the film.
Aiding EO’s valiant journey is the sweeping, full-bodied orchestral score from Polish composer Pawel Mykietyn. Mixing classical symphonic melodies with more contemporary, synth-based electrics, EO‘s score is a fusion of operatic peaks and gentle ambient soundscapes. Sound in general is heightened throughout EO, from visceral ADR to intimate ASMR, our senses tingle in every scene.
After many successful festival runs, including Cannes (Jury Prize winner, Palme d’Or nominee) and the European Film Awards (European Original Score winner), EO has continued to have a strong hold on me. Tenderly told with striking visuals and a ruminating score, EO deserves a top spot in the modern arthouse canon.
Distributed by Janus Films. 88 minutes. Not rated. Opening at the Los Feliz 3, Alamo Drafthouse DTLA, and Laemmle Royal this Friday, December 2, 2022.
