To See or Not to See

To See or Not to See (Psychocratie) is a 1969 Canadian animated short film, directed by Břetislav Pojar for the National Film Board of Canada.

An exploration of fear, the film centres on a scientist who develops a pair of glasses that allows the wearer to see reality instead of subjective perception, thus making fear less onerous and easier to overcome.

To See or Not to See amusingly reflects on the habit of looking before one leaps. What Pojar shows us is the little person inside each of us, the cautious character we all know, who acts to keep us out of trouble but also keeps us in a state of defeat. Is there a cure for this reluctance to face up to life in the raw? The film shows that there is.

Awards

 * Berlin International Film Festival, Berlin: Golden Bear for Best Short Film, 1969
 * Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago: Certificate of Merit, 1969
 * International Cinematography Congress, Colour Film Week, Barcelona: Diploma of Honour, 1969
 * 22nd Canadian Film Awards, Toronto: Film of the Year, 1970
 * 22nd Canadian Film Awards, Toronto: Best Animated Film, 1970
 * International Film Festival in Guadalajara, Guadalajara: Award for Animation, 1971
 * American Film and Video Festival, New York: Blue Ribbon, 1971
 * SODRE International Festival of Documentary and Experimental Films, Montevideo: First Prize, Experimental, 1971