The Surprised Watchman
השומר המופתע
“Absurdity is closer than it seems.”
Synopsis
At the border between the earthly and the otherworldly sits an old watchman, observing a fly. His thoughts are interrupted by a strange young man who asks, “How do I get to heaven?” What follows is an absurd, at times comical and unsettling dialogue filled with mistrust and irony. The watchman, bound by routine, faces something beyond logic. The young man, without a ticket but full of conviction, insists heaven awaits him. In the quiet, mysterious ending, the young man vanishes, leaving only a white feather — and a question: what was that? A short animated parable about boundaries, misunderstanding, and the mystery of crossing worlds, with absurdist humor in the spirit of Kharms or Kafka.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Surprised Watchman | השומר המופתע | Удививший сторожа | Teaser (dir. Michael Reichel)
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-06-07
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Live Screenings International Film Festival, Tbilisi
Festival / Special Debut
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Michael Reichel Dudov
- Screenplay & Story
- Daniil Kharms, Michael Reichel Dudov, Anna Gomon
- Original Title
- השומר המופתע
- Country of Origin
- Israel
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 4m
- Production Studios
- URI Animation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Michael Reichel Dudov
Daniil Kharms, Michael Reichel Dudov, Anna Gomon
Department Leadership Roster
Michael Reichel Dudov
Director
Daniil Kharms
Writer
Michael Reichel Dudov
Writer
Anna Gomon
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Surprised Watchman.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Surprised Watchman
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Surprised Watchman about?
At the border between the earthly and the otherworldly sits an old watchman, observing a fly. His thoughts are interrupted by a strange young man who asks, “How do I get to heaven?” What follows is an absurd, at times comical and unsettling dialogue filled with mistrust and irony. The watchman, bound by routine, faces something beyond logic. The young man, without a ticket but full of conviction, insists heaven awaits him. In the quiet, mysterious ending, the young man vanishes, leaving only a white feather — and a question: what was that? A short animated parable about boundaries, misunderstanding, and the mystery of crossing worlds, with absurdist humor in the spirit of Kharms or Kafka.
Who directed The Surprised Watchman?
The Surprised Watchman was directed by Michael Reichel Dudov.
Who stars in The Surprised Watchman?
The principal cast of The Surprised Watchman includes Maxim Avdeev, Maxim Avdeev.
When was The Surprised Watchman released and how long is it?
The Surprised Watchman was released in 2025 with a total runtime of 4m.