Symbol is a tragic tale of a character looking to find meaning in a world that has given up looking for meaning within him. Discarded by society as outside the conventional norms, Percival becomes obsessed with symbols in a desperate attempt to understand his relationship with society. One senses his hostility comes from trying to love a world that doesn't care about him at all. In an ironic and unfortunate way, it feels that if the world did love him, his hostility would grow even more, as the world would be unable to love him in the manner that he so desperately needs and wants.

Percival grows more and more frustrated with the direction of society as the film progresses. He doesn't understand how people could be happy with such a mundane existence. In some ways, his indictment of society for all it's foibles and lack of understanding is justified, in other ways, it's a hostile reaction towards society trying to turn him into somebody he isn't. It's an interesting take on human psychology, in his current state, society disregards him, if he changes to a person that society deems acceptable, he would be unable to accept himself. It's a very human feeling. Perhaps someone who has been in a relationship where they truly loved somebody, but realized their love would only be returned if they turned into somebody they hated would fully understand this dilemma.

As Percival turns more inward and away from society, he grows crazier and crazier. His need for symbols becomes his only attraction to society. Everything else he does is with a quiet disdain for all

This movie made me think for days. It was a small film with an unknown actor and director but both have a promising future. Coming out of it I thought I would forget it by the next day, but I didn't. Different people will take it different ways, but most people will be affected. I need to watch it a second time, and it's one of those movies I know I'd gain more and see more with each subsequent viewing. It is deeply layered. This character was deeply disturbed and had a deeply disturbing undertone to the whole movie. Without giving too much away, the first half had this deep tension, and during the second half I thought it might go one direction, but it took an interesting direction you don't see in many movies. This is not a popcorn movie, it is one that makes you think and listen and watch. The shots are beautiful. There is some kind of je ne sais quois tone to it that made me very unsettled and stiff in my seat, and coming out of it I felt I was back in a very different world from where the movie took me. I noticed hints of Kubrick, P.T. Anderson, Jacques Tati, and a dash of Gilliam and Lynch. And if you don't get a deep understanding upon the first viewing, it's still very pretty, and dark. Highly recommended. Looking forward to what else comes from these people. Appeared to be a skeleton cast/crew of two core talents, who produced impressive results.

beautiful movie could use more action but it is 100% beautiful looks like something out of Vancouver! and it makes you THINK! i don't think I've ever seen a short student movie with as much thought and beautiful shots put into movie. i could use more action like with the scene with the fire but it really is a beauty. the cat is funny and the communication with the young man and the cat is very funny. i say more cat, more fire, more violence but not too much violence. whos the actor? whos the director? this is shot in las vegas??? i never saw such scenery there thats amazing. i wondered where the young man is from except for that BEAUTIFUL AMAZING ITS LIKE ART!