Harvie Krumpet

The narrative spans Harvie’s birth in 1922, the upheavals of World War II, and decades of life in Australia. It moves across different eras as he navigates migration, illness, marriage, parenthood, and aging. The timeline stretches from the interwar period to the late 20th century, reflecting changing social norms and personal milestones.

Harvie Krumpetzki is born in Poland in 1922 and later migrates to Spotswood, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. The film traces his life through Australian settings—from parks and tram corridors to hospitals and nursing homes. The story centers around iconic places like the park by Horace's statue, the hospital wards, and the nursing home that frame his long life.

🌟 Resilience

Harvie faces a string of misfortunes—loss, illness, and social isolation—yet he remains relentlessly hopeful. The film uses humor and a stubborn optimism to show how endurance shapes a life. Small acts of courage and a positive mindset help him survive and find meaning amid hardship. The theme suggests resilience as a core force in a life marked by adversity.

🌍 Immigration

Harvie's journey from war-torn Poland to Australia embodies the refugee experience. The transition to Spotswood, Victoria, reveals the cultural adaptation, new communities, and the sense of belonging built over time. The setting becomes a stage for his quirky, hopeful approach to life's challenges. Immigration is presented as both a disruption and a source of new opportunities.

🧠 Memory

The story traces how memory shapes identity, from the fakts notebook to the progression of illness. Tourette's, cancer, and Alzheimer's alter how Harvie experiences the world while still guiding his choices. The film uses memory as both lifeline and burden, raising questions about what remains of a person when memory fades. It ultimately frames aging as a natural, if poignant, part of life.