In the bustling heart of the city, Self, a stop-motion marvel carved from wood, steps onto the scene. The city hums with the chime of its inhabitants, golden folks rendered in the wonders of CGI, who tap themselves to speak, echoing like bells with each touch. Self, eager to connect, reaches out with words, but her voice falls silent, unseen and unheard. Mimicking their tapping, she produces only dull thuds, a reminder of her wooden nature. Frustrated, she accidentally splinters her hand, shame sending her fleeing onto a rooftop perch.
Under a blanket of stars, Self wishes on a glimmering streak of light. As if by magic, a golden hand descends, replacing her broken one. This spark ignites a curious transformation. Throughout the day, more pieces of her wooden being are replaced by shimmering gold, each fragment a shift from stop-motion puppet to CGI creation. With each change, Self loses a bit of her original form, until only her head remains. Gazing at a golden face plummeting from the sky, she leaps from the rooftop, desperate to claim it. Landing with a thud, she replaces her wooden head with the golden one, finally reflecting the city’s inhabitants.
But amidst the golden sheen, a pang of unease strikes Self. As she approaches the golden people, ready to converse, she stumbles upon her discarded wooden face, cracked and forlorn, surrounded by the other discarded wooden parts. The stark contrast dawns on her – she has traded her essence for acceptance. Grief washes over her. In a poignant gesture, she removes the golden face, replacing it with her cracked wooden one. Turning to the golden people, she taps her face, a familiar wooden chime resonating in the air. This time, they respond, finally understanding her silent plea for connection.
The credits roll, showcasing the artistic journey of Self – removing the golden pieces, one by one, and carefully reattaching her wooden self. In the end, she embraces her unique identity, proving that true connection lies not in conformity, but in the authenticity of one’s own nature.
