The psychologist and literary theorist Jacque Lacan defines "l'objet petit a" (or "l'objet petit autre" meaning the "object of the little other") as the symbol for the unattainable object of desire. Lacan compares l'objet petit a with the Greek term algma (a precious object hidden in a worthless box)-- though of little intrinsic value, it becomes the vessel for what one seeks in the other.

Without delving too much farther in Lacanian theory, I can simply say that I have always found the idea of the l'objet petit is profoundly revealing. It reminds us of the frivolity of our human desire to chase what we cannot possess. This illusory object, be it for a blue ball or another person, is only precious as a manifestation of what we want. L'objet petit a can never be obtained; it's significance is always transferred to another object. Therefore the chase is eternal until we realize the process.


Official Selection of the 2005 Stanford Student Film Festival
Official Selection of the 2005 Cantor Arts Center "Student Party on the Edge"


(For some reason, in this slightly shorter version of the film, I cut out the end credits, so here they are.)
Director: Fen Zhao
Writer: Fen Zhao
Production Assistant: Anthony Ha
Girl: Melissa Fusco
Tormentor 1: Ian Blumenfeld
Tormentor 2: Vincent Chu
Hero: Steven Lehrburger
Girl 2: Melissa Lincoln