The Physics of Sorrow (French: Physique de la tristesse) is a Canadian animated short film, directed by Theodore Ushev and released in 2019.

[1] The film explores themes of memory, time, displacement, and identity through the fragmented reflections of a nameless protagonist who recalls his childhood in post-communist Bulgaria and his subsequent emigration to Canada.

Based on the novel by Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov, the film tells the story of a man reminiscing about his childhood as he struggles to understand the meaning and purpose of his life.

It follows the introspective journey of a nameless protagonist, voiced by Rossif Sutherland, as he reflects on his life and the idea of feeling trapped, much like a mythological figure from ancient stories—the Minotaur.

The film dives into personal memories of family meals, childhood adventures, and early encounters with existential questions.

The film continually shifts between the protagonist’s memories of Bulgaria and his life in Canada, showcasing the sense of dislocation experienced by many immigrants.

This metaphor extends to the broader immigrant experience of feeling trapped between worlds, neither fully belonging to their homeland nor to their adopted country.