"Escape" is a short animated film about the struggle between reality and the instinct to run from it.
Inspired by personal experiences, it explores the weight of confronting the world and the ways in which we seek refuge from it.
The protagonist, a young woman, lives in a constant state of exhaustion. No matter how much she sleeps, waking up feels impossible. This overwhelming fatigue reflects her inner resistance to a new reality. After moving to a foreign country, she finds herself lost between adaptation and avoidance. The deeper she sinks into sleep, the more she cultivates an illusion of safety—an emotional refuge in an unfamiliar world.
After moving to a foreign country, she finds herself lost between adaptation and avoidance. The deeper she sinks into the need to escape, the more it becomes a protective mechanism—an illusion of safety in an unfamiliar world.
The film portrays her journey between wakefulness and dreams, where surreal imagery blurs the boundaries of reality. It delves into the feeling of detachment when the present becomes unbearable and escapism feels like the only option. But, like all dreams, escape cannot last forever—sooner or later, one must wake up and face the world.
"Escape" is more than a personal reflection—it’s a universal experience that resonates with many. Combining striking visuals and symbolic storytelling, the film invites the audience to question their own ways of coping with reality and the delicate balance between finding comfort and confronting life.
Director & Scriptwriter: Sofiya Martynova
Producer & Co-Director: Susanna Khachatryan
Art Director: Milena Adamyan