Killing the Chickens, to Scare the Monkeys
Killing the Chickens, to Scare the Monkeys is a 2011 short film directed by Jens Assur. Set in the People's Republic of China, it unfolds through nine scenes that illustrate the unforeseen consequences of national politics and strategy on a young teacher's life. Notably, the film's first scene is a 15-minute single take, without any cuts.
Shot in Sweden and Thailand, this was Assur's second short film as both a director and writer.
Background
The idea for the movie is based on a photograph, smuggled out of China, depicting a group of prisoners kneeling, awaiting their execution. Around the group, people can be seen chatting and even laughing.Title
The title paraphrases an old Chinese idiom "kill the chicken to scare the monkey", which refers to making an example out of someone in order to threaten others, in the manner of pour encourager les autres. The movie implies that the Chinese government policy of executing dissidents is meant to deter others.Festivals and awards
Directors' FortnightCannes, France
May 2011
Nordisk Panorama
Århus, Denmark
Winner Best Short
September 2011
Madrid, Spain
Special Jury Mention: Alcine
November 2011
Vendôme Film Festival
Vendome, France
Winner
December 2011
Prague Short Film Festival 2012
Prague, Czech Republic
Special Jury Mention
Clermont-Ferrand 2012
Clermont-Ferrand, France
Special Jury Mention
Minimalen Short Film Festival 2012
Trondheim, Norway
Best Film - Nordic Competition
Best Fiction - Nordic Competition