The Lost Thing Essays

Claire Kim’s The Lost Thing Essay

Claire (Rae Young) Kim

English 1110.01, MWF 9:10-10:05

Instructor: Cathy Ryan

Quiz

February 6, 2017

The Lost Thing: “What Does The Film Mean?”

Award-winning short film, The Lost Thing by Shuan Tan, is meticulously planted with variety of elements that catalyze diverse thoughts in audience, that are often disregarded in routine lives. Just a normal day, the protagonist goes to the beach to find bottle caps for his collection. Then he discovers a mysterious looking creature, “the lost thing”. He tries his best to help find it’s home but continues to fail. One day, however just about to turn “the lost thing” into a sketchy government agency, he is warned by a stranger. Protagonist receives a strange sticker that eventually helps “the lost thing” to find it’s home.

My immediate thought and reaction after watching this film was the familiarity of the situation “the lost thing” was going through. To further expand my thoughts, I was able to connect to the time when I felt like an outsider faced with emotional turmoil and depression. I felt like “the lost thing” was myself and the protagonist by it’s side was someone like a mentor or helper during those harsh times.

In fact, everyone have been or will be in the same shoes as “the lost thing” once in their lifetime. Troubling times can be caused by myriads of events or things; however, it shouldn’t let any individuals hinder or lose self-worth. In addition, it’s not something to be embarrassed of or to be concealed, but one should acknowledge the layers of differences and let them be. The socially accepted norms will always be present acting like strict guidelines. But the confidence and help from loved ones will act like weapons and will alleviate situational turbulences.