An often-muttered piece of advice regarding the creative process is for artists to “kill their darlings,” an expression that urges the erasure of any elements or characters in a work that may be weighing down the potential of an overall story. With Kill It and Leave This Town, Mariusz Wilczyński does kill his darlings, but he refuses to shy away from showing the difficulty that comes with doing so. The film, animated over the 14 years following the passing of Wilczyński’s parents, depicts a nightmare world in which a protagonist is held prisoner to distorted representations of his memories. Continuously plagued by his past, the hero must venture to break free of his purgatory and escape the many embodiments of regret he faces.
The raw emotions depicted in Wilczyński’s work are distinctively poignant, perhaps because he never intended for what would become his feature film debut to be seen. After many years of painting, Wilczyński ventured into self-taught animation around age 35. This meditative film was the first work he decided to release to the world; he kept the rest of his short films locked in a “sock drawer.” His unconventional style lends itself to one not meant to be seen, much like the so-called “black paintings” of Francisco Goya’s later years.
The play of light and shadow on the minimalist sketches sets them apart from the pristine studio animation of recent years. The film took so long to complete that even some of Wilcyzński’s collaborators passed away before its completion. The weight of remorse, the brevity of memory, and the loneliness of grief are felt in every frame, yet knowing that the painstaking process of illustrating was therapeutic for Wilczyński adds a silver lining to an otherwise ghastly picture.
It took Mariusz Wilczyński 14 years to kill his darlings, his regrets, and grievances, and leave them behind in the town he created, a place indicative of the headspace he was left in following the loss of his loved ones. Kill It and Leave This Town serves as an exemplary personal work showcasing the ways in which artists can find solace and relief in their creations. It would make a valuable addition to any librarian’s media collection, especially those focusing on grief or bereavement psychology, as well as any film collections aiming to highlight examples of cerebral adult animation. Excellent. Highly Recommend.
What kind of film series would this drama fit in?
This film would fit well in a series of narrative animated films, specifically those dealing with adult topics.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
Kill It and Leave This Town would be suitable for subjects such as World Cinema, Political Issues, Philosophy, Social Issues, and Art.
What type of library programming could use this title?
This film would be great for a counter-programming of adult animated films, paired with films such as Anomalisa or Waltz with Bashir.
Discover more titles with our list of drama movies.