Birthday Boy (2004) User Reviews

Birthday boy film review

[daredevil_12345 · 8/10 · 29 October 2014]

Birthday boy is a short animated film about a lonely boy 'Manuk' dreaming to follow his fathers footsteps as a solider. Sejong Park, the director, makes the short film with no talking so we can predict what will happen and indirectly show us what's going on. In the abandoned Korean town, Manuk is alone with no one to tell him what to do or anyone to look after him. Manuk's father is a solider fighting in the war, which has an impact on Manuk and his future as he will no longer see the war in the same way again and his childhood would be ruined. Overall the film depicts a way a child will see his future due to a piece of information that can change your life forever.

~Bobby Jo~

A nice little South Korean short

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 9 February 2008]

This is a very simple animated film using computer generated technology. In fact, it was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short for 2005 but lost to a film called RYAN (which I have yet to see).

The story begins around the time of the Korean War. A little boy is playing around his home and the nearby railroad track. During this time, he drops a bolt on the track to see what happens when the train squishes it and plays soldier as long lines of tanks pass on the freight train. Nothing particularly noteworthy or exciting about this film--just a slice of life from a sad time and some decent animation. It's nice to see a nominee from South Korea, as you don't normally see their films nominated.

By the way, and you'll no doubt think I am crazy, but for a truly outstanding Korean film, try to find DOGGIE POO--a truly amazing short film that is astoundingly good and heart-warming and light years better than BIRTHDAY BOY.

good but down beat (SPOILERS)

[dbborroughs · 6/10 · 28 June 2009]

Short animated film about a young boy in 1951 Korea dreaming of fighting the war that is raging in his country. He is playing war games of a lonely sort on his way home.

Bittersweet film will probably strike most as well done but unbelievably sad. I liked it but didn't love it, finding the sadness over whelming my feelings for the film. Some films are too sad to say that one enjoyed them even if they are very good.

Nominated for best short animated film it lost the Oscar to Ryan The animated documentary about Ryan Larkin.

Worth a look if you run across it since it is a very beautiful film at times.

Birthday boy

[Hewa63 · 6/10 · 29 October 2014]

This review is written by Sara.r on the 30/10/2014. A short animated film, a boy in Korea wanders around and plays during war alone while going home. It's very a emotional and dramatic but very few talking. The techniques was very good but you have to study the film to and watch more than once to really understand it. I like the quick change in camera angles with the trains and the beginning a plane is destroyed showing that their is a war going on and the omniscient perspective. I like the fact that we get to see some of the scenes in the boy's perspective but I thought it was too upsetting for me, the boys smile scared me a little. At the end it ended quickly I would have liked to see a little more. Overall, I think the film was okay but I wouldn't watch it over again.

Birthday Boy (2004

[scicek154 · 7/10 · 29 October 2014]

Birthday Boy is a short animated film about a young boy in 1951 Korea while a war is going on. I liked how it's a short film but we learnt and found out a lot of things. There is a lot of detail in the landscape almost looking real. The music and the sound has a purpose to be there and puts more effect and meaning on what is happening or how Manuk feels( Manuk is the boy in the story). There is a lot of objects that show us rather than tell us and gives us more information for example ,in the package Manuk sees a dog tag which means his fathers dead. Overall it's a great film and there isn't a lot of dialogue but actions speak more than words.

Birthday Boy a fascinating short film

[one-direction-me-today · 7/10 · 30 October 2014]

May contain spoilers********

'Birthday Boy' is a short film capturing a young boy, named Manuk, during 1951 in Korea. Directed by Sejong Park, he shows Manuk's destiny to fight as a soldier. He trys to show a different perspective like how war can effect a child's Life.

The film shows very emotional and dramatic scenes. Like the passing trains carrying tanks, a signal of war. Espercially the colourful butterfly, that decided to leave its surroundings after finding a lifeless and depressing place.

In my opinion, I honestly found it entertaining and laughable. But also shows a dark, sorrowful side to it trying to send a message to the audience.

Birthday boy

[jenanakolaric · 7/10 · 29 October 2014]

The short film was very good! I understood a lot after i watched it again. When i heard the train part it got scary and loud. Sejong Park did a very good job on directing the short film. All the animations on the techniques were very good. I like how manuk put the metal bolt on the train rail way and when the train came past the train squashed the metal bolt and made it magnetic.The color in the short film looked like aboriginal color like orange yellow red and brown. The short film was interesting it made me think more about the Koran war. It reminds me so much about how my mum the war she was in so it reminded me so much. This short film made me interested a lot.

Just when you thought you were over animation

[tasrod · 10/10 · 27 January 2005]

Just when you thought you were over animation, along comes this priceless gem of a film. Both the story, and the animation style are refreshingly original and beautifully told. I saw this film at a touring program of Australian Film School graduate films last year. It's seeming simplicity belied the incredible amount of time spent in bringing this story to life. The "Birthday Boy" wanders through streets of his Korean village and plays on his own. The little boy has so much character and is like no other character I've seen on the screen before. It was a very vivid story and has remained with me since then. I hope it goes well overseas and at the Oscars, imagine a quinella, following Adam Elliots "Harvey Crumpet" win last year !!

Its a good short film

[Zara-muhammad · 7/10 · 29 October 2014]

The short film Birthday Boy by Sejong Park is an amazing quality film. It is very sad, touching and emotional. There are sad scenes over and over again. But, the boy, about, aged 7, is really cute and adorable. His childhood innocence makes up the happiness and excitement in the film. The film is set in Koreain the tear 1951. There are many sudden sounds/music in the film. Such as the train scene, the metallic scene and the curiosity sound. Symbolism plays a big role as well. Such as the dog tags mean that his father was in war and passed away. The metal toys represent poverty. The tanks represent war. Manuk (the boy) seems bored, creative and innocent. There is war currently going on at that time in his town but, he is totally unaware of it. It took me to watch the film twice so i could properly understand it. There is just so. Much to take in. I would definitely recommend this to others to watch. *Warning* you will be curious the whole time while watching the film. Especially with the title.

it is Alright

[Filiz-atalay2002 · 5/10 · 29 October 2014]

short animated film about a young boy in 1951 Korea. Directed by Sejong park , this little boy is alone. Manuk is a very cute boy and looks very innocent . There is wad going in in his village . everyone has died and no one in sight . He has no one to hang out with . the music in this film brings curiosity to people and make them think what is going to happen next. Manuk makes his own toys out of metal. There are many sudden scenes in this film. This film is very sad and touching . There are many techniques in this short film. The color in this film brings lots of emotional and feeling to this film. The quality if this film is alright it's not bad. symbolism plays a big role in the film. For example the dog tags represent the death of his father in war. The metal toys represent poverty. his curiosity represent his childhood innocence. his characterization represents boredom and creativity. there are many music sounds like the train scene, heart beat .

So many symbols

[zahratoufaili · 10/10 · 29 October 2014]

The director must have really known his stuff as there are so many symbols that make me feel incredibly stupid for not realising that so many answers were right in front of me! one example is when the camera angle was up high that symbolises an omniscient perspective (it might have been his dad watching over him). Is when the butterfly at the start flew away that was his childhood flying away because that was the only colour in the scene. the song as well could have been talking about him being alone with no one lookin after him. the song also symbolises childhood innocence as it looks like he doesn't actually know what it means and he is just having fun. Awesome job!

Atmosphere over story

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 27 July 2015]

"Birthday Boy" is a Korean 10-minute short film that managed an Oscar nomination in the animated category. I really wanted to like it, but sadly I did not. I am also not too big on the winner from that year: "Ryan". "Birthday Boy" is equally weak. It is nicely atmospheric, but there is nothing really happening during these 10 minutes and the strange ending does not elevate it considerably either. The last minute is possibly the best part of the film, but it just does not make up for the mediocrity before that. I cannot say I am surprised that Sejong Park is not enjoying a big career right now. However, I kinda like his style of animation here. The city and landscapes were nicely done, the boy could have been better. But this does not make up for lack of story either. It starts to drag quickly. Not recommended.

Birthday boy

[Umamasyed02 · 10/10 · 29 October 2014]

The story is about a young Korean boy named Manuk. In this short film there are many symbols that tell us there is a unfortunately a war going on. The army tanks give us a clue about the war also the rust everywhere shows the destruction and devastation.Later on Manuk opens the parcel and sees an old dog tag and boot from the war, which was from the war. This tells us his father has past away. He's a very active,young boy who always plays in the street. The way he makes the toys shows his creativity and innocence also the part where he wipes his nose shows us the lack of care; because his mum is probably working so hard for the war. Even the colour give us a clue that his village has been invaded because the colours are earthy, sepia , vintage ,old and dirty. There is a very interesting part where it is muffled and it helps us concentrate on the scene and helps us understand there is a war going on. The harp noises tell us something sad is going to happen. The director has tricked us in many places. Overall it was an amazing short film

Beautifully animated but bittersweet short about childhood and innocence lost

[llltdesq · 9/10 · 18 January 2014]

This short was nominated for an Academy Award. There will be very mild spoilers.

This short follows a little Korean boy in 1951. As is quite clear in the short, this little boy is growing up in a war zone, with predictable results on his behavior and the games he plays.

As the short unfolds, certain things not quite clear to the boy become very apparent to the viewer and the short is quite well done and very effective in establishing a mood. The animation and the backgrounds are beautifully done.

I found the ending heartbreaking. The short is well worth tracking down and watching. Most recommended.

birthday boy review

[vidhijoshi2001 · 9/10 · 29 October 2014]

Birthday Boy is an amazing animation with a beautiful message behind it, it includes many intensifying and foreshadowing sounds for example during the time when the train goes past you get many different feelings, there is also a lot of symbolism included in this film, for example when Manuk makes the toys it shows his poverty, loneliness, boredom and creativity, the perspective of this film is omniscient and the camera angles assist with the perspective of the different scenes. Sejong Park uses these techniques which makes the film so good and meaningful. I strongly recommend birthday boy because of its amazing message and techniques.

Birthday Boy (may contain small spoilers)

[alishafayaz13 · 9/10 · 29 October 2014]

Birthday Boy is a short film, taking place in Korea in 1951 during war time. The main character is a small boy named Manuk. The setting of the short film is in a earthy, vintage looking village that is polluted, dirty and poor. During the video certain symbols describe the state of the village when there is a war. For example rust in the area shows devastation, destruction and decay, the absence of people and other children show loneliness in the village and similarly the war tanks passing by on the train tracks show war, terror and violence but also excitement for innocent Manuk who is oblivious to the bitter truth about war. Manuk thinks that war is fun and exciting, he is proud of his father who is a soldier and does not know what war really means. Manuk's oblivion to war proves that he is a young child as certain scenes of the film describe his innocence.

birthday boy film review

[Ercsta · 9/10 · 29 October 2014]

The short film 'Birthday Boy' is an animation of the wartime in Korea during 1951. The main character is a little boy by the name of Manuk. All the little put into 9 minutes made a big difference. It was obvious Manuk came from a poor family/country and we see thus from all the earthy and polluted colors. In the beginning we get an omniscient (God like) perspective of the film. At times we see through the eyes of Manuk himself but majority of the time we are looking through the camera's eyes. Toward the end there is a high angle view of his village. All the decay and destruction gives us a sense of devastation. The tanks on the back of the train throughout the film tell us there is war going on and to us seems quite upsetting knowing that Manuk's father is in war. However to Manuk it is amazing. He thinks war is so cool and is proud of his dad. Thus shows us the cute innocence of Manuk. I really liked thus film but at the same time I felt so slack for Manuk.

Birthday Boy

[Sprinkles-re-yum · 9/10 · 29 October 2014]

The year is 1951, Korea, at a time of war. The young boy, Manuk is shown playing war games and finding scraps of metal and bolts from what turns out to be a crashed airplane in a seemingly empty village. He runs to a railway and places a bolt on the tracks. Is his life in danger? The train rumbles on by filled with tanks. The place is a war zone with gunfire and aircraft. Manuk, being a little child is oblivious to the dangers and consequences. He continues his own little role playing game, firing guns and throwing imaginary grenades. It is implied that today is his birthday and a package awaits on his doorstep. 'Birthday Boy' is a film that creates a world filled with child-like innocence overlaid by a war and real casualties and issues that the young boy doesn't comprehend.

Beautiful and emotional.

[zeynep-n · 10/10 · 2 November 2014]

'Birthday Boy' is a brilliant animation during wartime in Korea. This video tells a tale of an inquisitive and imaginative boy, who adventurous and explores his war-torn neighborhood. Manuk is a playful and innocent child who likes to collect bits of 'useful' metal and likes playing dangerously close to train tracks. The sad and lonely music in the film reflects the mood of the animation and plays with your emotions. The tanks, planes flying overhead and the plane wreckage all point out an obvious war raging on or that has happened. The symbolism in this animation is also brilliantly placed and incorporated into the story. The butterfly at the beginning may symbolize innocence, whilst the package, dog-tags and boots may indicate the death of his dad (who is a soldier in the war).

Overall, this animation is beautiful, emotional and well thought out. The music and overall atmosphere will pull at your heart and make you feel a great pity for Manuk. I recommend this animation to anyone interested in an artistic and emotional journey.

Birthday boy

[Suram200121 · 10/10 · 29 October 2014]

'Birthday Boy' is a short animation set in Korea 1951 during a war. We follow the main character, A young boy called Manuk, as he wanders through the ruined village whilst he makes his way home to an awaiting package. This sympathy inducing, heart wrenching story conveys universal themes of loss, war and childhood innocence. The music consists of interrupted cadences played using only selected instrument adding to the film, a smart choice made by the director. The symbolism used adds to the themes of the story, one example is the butterfly that flys away in the beginning could symbolize happiness, freedom and childhood innocence. The choice of using sepia for the animation gives the film and old,dull and earthy landscape. The choices made by the director combined with the story and already endearing character Manuk make for an amazing animation. This short film is definitely worth the watch

A journey through the transition from childhood to adulthood

[ms-stephanieluong · 10/10 · 29 October 2014]

We are immediately drawn into Manuk's world with the fluttering butterfly at the film's onset, a symbol of the fleeting nature of childhood innocence. It is the only thing of colour throughout the entire film, while sepia tones dominate the remainder. The dull colours of brown and yellow effectively represent the town's poverty, destruction of war and the inevitable boredom we the audience see, to which Manuk seems oblivious. His wild imagination creates a playground out of the destruction. He entertains himself by building toys out of war refuse, playing an idealised game of war with his imagined father. We are invited into Manuk's world at moments, however, through the use of the muffled train sound and low camera angle as he stands gazing admirably up at the tanks as they pass by on the train. The writer cleverly engages the audience through the development of emotions for Manuk, as though he were a real human child instead of just a computer generated image. We enjoy the adventure Manuk is on, laugh at his quirky movements and fantasy games, marvel at his creativity; but we also fear for him at the train rushes past, afraid that the foreboding music foreshadows some violent fortune. We breathe a sigh of relief as he returns home, but again are filled with sadness and empathy for Manuk as he pulls out his father's shiny dog tags, a sign that his father has been killed in action. The glean of the metal, coupled with the bird's eye shot could be a symbolic sign of Manuk's father watching over him as he sleeps. It is a beautiful story which portrays the delicate line between childhood and adulthood, as fragile as the symbolic butterfly, for Manuk will never be the same when his mother explains the true significant of the contents of his "birthday gift".

It was good and bad

[sugarhy24 · 8/10 · 29 October 2014]

I liked it a lot but it's not something that you want to watch over and over again and when I was watching it reminded me of my home country which made me understand how little kids can entertain themselves even if they don't have toys,and it was cute everything was good the lighting the camera the sound everything was perfect but I wish it was something that you could watch over and over again and this also shows you how war can affect family's and you won't understand wat birthday boy actually stand for unless you watch 3 times I really liked it and I feel sad for the boy he's life is going to be a mess when he grows up because he's going to grow up without a full family and I really hope there was other episodes of this short film because it would've been more interesting

Movie review-birthday boy

[Zefozan · 9/10 · 29 October 2014]

The year in 1951, Korea, and it is in the middle of works war two. The protagonist, Manuk, is first shown playing in the scraps of a crashed airplane, and finds a bolt. He runs to the train tracks and places the bolt on them as he watches the train pass by. He is amazed when he sees the tanks being carried away to the battlefield. The director muted the sound when that happened, to show us Manuk's perspective. When the train is nothing but a speck in the distance, he goes back to the tracks and picks up the bolt, realising that he made it magnetic. The fact that he discovered this shows us that he is alone and has no one to play with. He then goes ahead and starts playing war games, imagining his father was with him as he fires 'guns' and throws 'grenades.' It it implied that today is his birthday as he receives a package in his front porch. 'Birthday boy' is a sad yet sweet film that shows young childhood innocence being overlaid by war and issues that the young boy doesn't understand.

It was a good short film

[Ozhan7 · 8/10 · 29 October 2014]

Birthday boy from Australia sajrong park the director made a film about a young boy in the middle of a war crises.the film is quiet a interesting film and some of the technics really imprest me like how there was a quick change, when the train scene had came and another technic that impressed me was how they mixed the heart beat and the train noise together.i think that the symbolise in the movie where relevant to the movie like how there was a butterfly in the beginning and it was the only colourful thing in the movie and that flayed away.another smart thing in the movie is that the perspective like omniscient that means the all seeing like how in the beginning the camera was at birds eye and then came to eye level view this shows that nether a bird or a plane can do this and it is possible his fathers spirt

Willing to watch this again (SPOILERS)

[sarzie290102 · 8/10 · 29 October 2014]

This was a great short film. It made me think twice about things. The colors showed a lot in the film for example the yellow wasn't bright it was really dull and it showed a lot of depression in the movie. The directors made sure we could see things from Manuk's view for example when Manuk was watching the tanks whiz past him. I also think that Manuk's vivid imagination was the result of a great short film. I mean magnetic toys who could top that?! When Manuk's father died he couldn't see what we could see. For Manuk it was like the most amazing thing ever getting a package full of your father's belongings that was nice for Manuk but for us it was really sad because we were older than Manuk and we know that his father killed in the war. Shame it didn't win the Oscars