The Catcher
Slow surreal short about a man whose job is catching birds that might not exist
The brief
Luka Galle turns what could be magical realism into something quietly devastating, following Emil Leysen's bureaucrat who spends his days capturing birds that may not exist. At just 29 minutes, it moves like a fever dream - slow, hypnotic, with long stretches where you're not sure if you're watching absurdist comedy or existential horror. Leysen plays Robin with the defeated posture of someone who's given up questioning his bizarre job, making the whole thing feel less whimsical than deeply sad. Perfect for fans of Charlie Kaufman's weirder stuff or anyone who loved the bureaucratic nightmare mood of Brazil.
The verdict
If you love surreal, slow-burn films that blur the line between dark comedy and existential dread (think Charlie Kaufman or Terry Gilliam), this quietly devastating 29-minute fever dream will haunt you. If you need clear narratives or fast pacing, this hypnotic tale of a man catching possibly imaginary birds will feel like watching paint dry.
Watch with
- 👤 Art film enthusiasts who appreciate slow cinema
- ⚠️ Viewers expecting traditional narrative structure
Heads up
- Themes of isolation and mental health struggles (moderate)
- Slow, potentially disorienting dream-like sequences (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Luka Galle
- Cast
- Emil Leysen, Mieke De Groote, Kris Cuppens, Damla Cengiz
Official synopsis
Robin, a lonely young man, works for the government as a catcher of invisible birds.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Perfect Blue (1998)
Both explore isolated protagonists losing grip on reality through surreal circumstances.
Total runtime: 29m + 1h 22m = 1h 51m
