EO: Exclusive clip from the Oscar-nominated donkey drama

There’s a long line of cinematic donkeys, from Eddie Murphy Shrek joker a The Banshees of Inisherin‘s scene-stealing Jenny, to the horrible asses of Pinocchio, Winnie the Pooh’s friend Eeyore, and beyond. But now get ready to fall in love with EO, a donkey who is not just a secondary character, but the central protagonist of his own story. HEY, by Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski, is a beautifully shot and powerfully emotional drama that recently earned an Academy Award nomination for international feature film, telling the story of a donkey who strays from his life in the circus and finds himself on an epic journey . through the forests and landscapes of Europe. Before the film opens in UK and Irish cinemas on February 3, watch an exclusive clip here:

With POV footage of donkeys, amazing wildlife footage and a real sense of danger as EO finds itself amidst the perils of the modern world, this is just a taste of completion. HEY experience, and all beautifully filmed by cinematographer Michał Dymek. Here is the official synopsis: “EO, a gray donkey with melancholy eyes and an inquisitive mind, begins life as a circus performer before escaping on a journey through the Polish and Italian countryside. During his travels, he encounters an eclectic cast of characters, including a countess (Isabelle Huppert), a young Italian priest (Lorenzo Zurzolo), and a rowdy Polish soccer team. EO’s journey speaks to the world around us, an equine hero who boldly points out the ills of society and serves as a warning of the dangers of carelessness and inaction, as he seeks freedom.

See the film on the big screen (and see how it affects your Cinematic Donkey rankings) starting February 3, and keep an eye out for the Oscars in March to see if it wins in the International Films category.