Tomasz Popakul

Sorry, this is rushed

Tomasz Popakul is a Polish animator and director known for his distinctive, experimental style that blends 2D and 3D animation. His films often explore themes of alienation, identity, and psychological transformation, characterized by surreal storytelling and striking visuals. Notable works include Acid Rain (2019), a hallucinatory road trip film praised for its intense atmosphere, Ziegenort (2013), a coming-of-age story about a fish-like boy struggling with identity, and Black (2016), a sci-fi short about stranded astronauts facing existential dread.

Tomasz Popakul studied animation and scriptwriting at the Łódź Film School (PWSFTviT) in Poland, where he developed his storytelling and visual style. His films have gained international recognition, with Acid Rain (2019) premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and winning awards at Annecy and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. His earlier work, Ziegenort (2013), also screened at Annecy, Sundance, and other major festivals, while Black (2016) was praised for its monochromatic sci-fi aesthetic. Known for his surreal visuals and emotionally raw narratives, Popakul has established himself as a significant voice in indie and experimental animation, especially in Poland.

ACID RAIN

Acid Rain follows a woman, known as Young, who runs away from home and meets Skinny, a reckless drug dealer involved in small-time crime. Together, they embark on a chaotic journey across a bleak, neon-lit Eastern landscape. As their trip unfolds, reality begins to blur, and the film takes on an increasingly hallucinatory and unsettling tone. The story explores themes of escapism, self-destruction, and the search for connection in a hostile world. With trippy visuals, glitchy electronic soundtrack, and raw emotional intensity, Acid Rain shows a dreamlike yet gritty atmosphere.