The “Flow” animation feature film is released today, which was not only nominated for best film in its area but also in the main one. The sounds are of nature, there are no human voices that bend animals.
Almost worldwide surprise, for the first time a cartoon of Latvia is a Oscar candidate for Best Animation Film, and, even more, also candidate for the best film prize. The international sales title is very short, only “Flow”how to flow. The original is “Straume”which they say is something like getting carried away. Belgium and France, co -producers, were more cancheros: “Flow, le chat qui n’Avait plus peur de l’eau”the cat that was no longer afraid of water. True, the protagonist is a cat that, forced by circumstances, even ends up hunting underwater. That fact is key, but it may not be the most important. And here they have added subtitles such as “Flow, a world to save”something quite misleading because the characters do not plan to save any world, they have enough to try to save themselves.
In summary, a common cat, dark gray or black -white color, contemplates its image, has a home where they obviously wanted it and even adored it (but now there is no human to take care of it) and suddenly it must escape from a flood never seen, perhaps the result of the thaw of the poles, we do not know. At the last moment a boat passes drifting, and there is saved. Inside the boat, a carpincho! Then a lemur, a Golden Retriever of a good character, evidently raised as a pet, and a white straw, apparently a female of protective spirit. It is in doubt if it is what the English call a secretary, as is in doubt the sublime final flight of that bird, in a moment of curious and fascinating mysticism without explanations. In truth, nothing is explained here. Notable, exceptional, impressive things happen not only for animals, but there is something that, that is very clear: friendship, understanding and mutual help between the different united species in front of a world that has become unknown. It is, in short, a fable with a moral without words, which can well be applied to the human race.
The director, Gints zilbalodishas not given greater explanations, unless the carpinch symbolizes inner peace and things like that. Incidentally, as they could not record the voice of a carpincho they recorded that of a camel. In the end. The unique thing is that man made a story without words, without an off voice telling anything, only with the sounds of the animals, the wind, the wood of the boat, the waves and the creak of the earth and the great trees, and, this must be highlighted, a very well applied music that reaches the soul.
Music and script Zilbalodis He made them with help. Photography, assembly, art direction and general direction are of its exclusivity. The animation itself was in charge of Franco-Belgas teams controlled by LEO SILY-PELISSIER, But the design of each image and the exact movement of the animals (including a marine monster, deer, fish, a dog’s hole that make their own, half -badly and more lemurs flood flocks) are the author’s merit. Also, the decision to arrange for animals an ancient type of animation, such as medium flat drawings, and for the rest of nature a beautiful technical and aesthetic display in the manner of true and impressive paintings. Did he do it for pleasure, for budgetary reasons, or for some other reason? Maybe he explains it soon, when he receives the Oscar. And if you don’t explain it, better yet.
“Flow” (Latvia-France-Belgium, 2024); Dir.: Gints Zilbadolis; animation.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
