The plot of the short is as follows, a load of soldiers are in a bunker in some future apocalyptic wasteland. They undergo drills for some eventual conflict phase but apart from as a brief flurry of activity in the beginning of the movie it is revealed that they are all suffering from intense boredom. One soldier tortures insects to pass the time, and in chasing one particular beetle discovers a hitherto unknown machine, which has a timer set at 99999. The soldier informs his superiors, and the discovery is recorded up the ladder. Plans for the bunker are checked, and the floors are even ripped up to find where the machine is connected to.
Accidentally, the machine is activated, and it begins to count backwards from 99999 to 0, one digit per second. The soldier who activated it is draconically punished with a lobotomy. The other soldiers start to come to pieces under the strain of the countdown. As the machine counts closer and closer to 0, the soldiers turn on themselves.
Final Spoiler:
As the last seconds approach, the only surviving soldier (the unfortunate who was lobotomised) is left handcuffed to the machine. The digits count to 0... and then flip around to 99999 and stop.
The movie can be a little confusing at times, but it's wonderfully shot, and shows some seriously beautiful costume design and settings (if a little grey and depressing). Overall it's an interesting film to check out if you're into Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and who isn't?
Accidentally, the machine is activated, and it begins to count backwards from 99999 to 0, one digit per second. The soldier who activated it is draconically punished with a lobotomy. The other soldiers start to come to pieces under the strain of the countdown. As the machine counts closer and closer to 0, the soldiers turn on themselves.
Final Spoiler:
As the last seconds approach, the only surviving soldier (the unfortunate who was lobotomised) is left handcuffed to the machine. The digits count to 0... and then flip around to 99999 and stop.
The movie can be a little confusing at times, but it's wonderfully shot, and shows some seriously beautiful costume design and settings (if a little grey and depressing). Overall it's an interesting film to check out if you're into Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and who isn't?