Porcelain Unicorn

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Porcelain Unicorn

Philips and the renowned director/producer Ridley Scott launched a global filmmaker competition called “Tell It Your Way,” following its Cannes Lions award-winning short-film project “Parallel Lines.”

The entrants were given freedom of expression and could take up any theme they wanted. But there were two strict rules: there had to be the exact six-line dialogue as it was in the Parallel Lines films, plus the entries could last no longer than three minutes.

Over 600 entries came in from around the world. Here's the prize-winning film, "Porcelain Unicorn” by American director Keegan Wilcox. The film is a sensitive and moving tale of how a traumatic wartime encounter inspires a man in later life.

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Published: June 11, 2011

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Visitor Comments: 30

(23) mary laura vassilopoulos, February 27, 2012 4:34 AM

The Porcelain Unicorn

What a story. I like the children and the Unicorn is a make believe animal. These children didn't live through anything make believe it happened. Great producer what a film used a make believe animal that brought two children together in something that was a nightmare to live through. Well done and great. The whole story took place in three minutes and I felt like it was a much longer and I didn't want it to end.

(22) suzanne kruys, January 28, 2012 5:14 AM

WOW what a worthy winner! i watched so many of these 600 entries and the judges got it so right. The music is unbelievable, the casting amazing and the acting and story so believable. It told a story from start to finish and it was captivating. Well done!

(21) Tonna Chavez, November 13, 2011 6:34 PM

beautiful...

thank you...

(20) Jerry, October 21, 2011 7:38 PM

Took my breath away!!!!!!!

Even after all these years it is hard to believe that something like the Holocaust happened!!!!!

(19) leah, October 17, 2011 11:14 PM

I really don't like it, and i don't think any holocaust survivor would either

Stacey, February 16, 2012 4:25 PM

I doubt you are right.

Barbara, April 14, 2012 5:07 PM

You are wrong

You need to see "Forgiving Joseph Mengele".

(18) Giti, August 18, 2011 1:27 AM

shocked at posotive review

As powerful as the film is, why fantasize about heroes amongst the Natzis, if this was true it would be an important message to share, but its fiction.Lets remember the enemy, and what they did and not fabricate stories that depict them as humane.

(17) Anonymous, June 22, 2011 6:30 PM

beautiful.

Thank you, may we always remember.

(16) w d, June 21, 2011 3:03 AM

queston

why is it that what is good seems so fragile while what is evil seems to have enormous destructive force? I appreciate this film and your link from your site. Thank you.

(15) marja, June 18, 2011 7:16 PM

How great.

A life,a child is saved

(14) Sarah Dinah, June 18, 2011 12:14 PM

An important lesson from this film

An important lesson from this film is that we are not simply a product of our upbringing. This boy was surely taught to hate Jews. And yet, when confronted by a girl his own age, who reached out to him as children will do, something - or rather, Someone - spoke to him. Years ago, when I was teaching a sixth grade class in public school, several of my students insisted that the Nazis should NOT have been punished because "it was how they were raised." Some of these children were even Jewish. 97% of my students, in fact, agreed with this statement. When I asked them, "What about those who disobeyed? What about those who disagreed?" my students didn't know what to say. We must acknowledge a power greater than ourselves who can effect change in the human heart. He does so in big and small ways - and in this film through a porcelain unicorn.

(13) Eliyahu Schkol, June 17, 2011 3:14 PM

WOW!

It's amazing how 3 minutes and a few seconds can bring tears to the eyes. Amazing!

(12) Linda, June 17, 2011 1:49 AM

" A W E S O M E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wE MUST NEVER FORGET

(11) Caroline Cappiello, June 14, 2011 1:59 PM

THE Nazi brainwashing failed to reach change a sensitive boy's heart.

Thought this was powerful. Would that it was shown in every school in America.

(10) opensoc, June 14, 2011 1:56 AM

a fairy tale

As improbable a story as a unicorn in real life.Today´s heirs of an execrable ideology are still shattering ideals of a world devoid of hate, where Jews have as much right to life and State as everybody else.

(9) Marjorie, June 13, 2011 4:09 PM

A Worthy Prize-winner...

To pack this much into 3 minutes is an amazing feat. Thank you for succinctly making a valid point. True compassion moves one past his own discomfort to sacrifice and giving of himself. This is a truth that spans all time and space. Congratulations on a job well done.

(8) Vivien Christian, June 13, 2011 2:25 AM

A vivid reminder

A vivid reminder of the terror suffered by the people known as "the apple of God's eye". I see history trying to repeat itself and, with Sue, am determined to stand with the Jewish people. Israel, you have my voice and my prayers - now and for ever.

(7) Beverly, June 12, 2011 9:29 PM

I cried

(6) M.Neiger, June 12, 2011 6:55 PM

very moving

I found it very moving......I think it got the point through......gives you a scence of hope

(5) Oskar Noble, June 12, 2011 5:26 PM

A shoty movie..BUT it tells it ALL!!! Thank..

A short movie...BUT it tells it ALL!!!!Thanks..

(4) Anonymous, June 12, 2011 4:50 PM

how condescending! .... she survived because of him - see not all of them are evil - and is now living in the same house? cmon!

Ann Brady, June 14, 2011 1:37 AM

Anonymous who are you?

And why are your comments always so angry and hurt? This was a beautiful short, it got the point across. Children are children even when adults try to corrupt them.

Sarah Dinah, June 18, 2011 12:04 PM

Some *did* survive because of one person's actions

Thank G-d there were those who chose to make a different choice. If there had not been, would there have been any survivors? G-d can speak compassion and truth into the heart of anyone.

Anonymous, June 18, 2011 12:16 PM

Same house?

Why do you think it was the same house? I didn't get that from the film at all. From the slip of paper? What if he looked for her, remembering her from that incident? It is a very short film, so understandably, much is left out.

dm, June 30, 2011 2:50 AM

implausible

DH also got the impression it was the same house, although I didn't. But still, completely implausible, unrealistic, and therefore condescending. If it was the same house, why did he need the paper? If it was a different house, how did he find out enough (name, etc) to track her down? If the family left/was taken in the middle of a meal, why was the girl still there? If she was hiding in the house alone, why didn't she eat the food left out, or protect it from vermin? If she knew enough to hide, why would she bang the closet door open after the boys entered? That being done, why would she sit in the open door until she was identified? That being done, why didn't she go out the secret exit when the boy started to enter the closet? Why would the German officer assume there was reason to hit the boy - isn't it more likely to think he found the unicorn abandoned? BTW, the "popular choice" winner for this contest is a humorous piece called Baby Time. I definitely think it is better than the Porcelain Unicorn.

(3) Caber, June 12, 2011 2:43 PM

NEVER AGAIN

Watching this video made me cry. Every time I see videos and read stories about the holocaust always breaks my heart. But even in the midst of war there are some people with good hearts. I hope this will NEVER happen again. Not in my life time and the life time of my descendants. I'm proud to be Jewish and always will be.

(2) Stanley Tee, June 12, 2011 2:12 PM

The need to find "good" Germans?

Why, suddenly, are we so bent on finding "good"Germans? I find this video highly implausible - and I will not forget.

Sarah Dinah, June 18, 2011 12:11 PM

Not implausible at all

There *were* good Germans and Poles and others who played a role in our survival. Sadly, there were many more who were *not* good. And I don't even think that the message of the film is "this boy was *good*" but more that when the girl extended the uncorn to him, she connected with him on a certain level. He had probably been taught that the Jews were not human, not like him, but this small act opened a window of understanding to him. In my own life, I have found that often it is the simplest of acts that are the beginning of a change in my own attitude toward something or someone. I found the film incredibly moving.

(1) Sue Reid, June 12, 2011 12:30 PM

The Porcelain Unicorn

I watched this video and was moved to tears. As I see history beginning to repeat itself all around me, I am ever more determined to stand with the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. You have my voice and my prayers.

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