Flow, 2024.
Directed by Gints Zilbalodis.
SYNOPSIS:
Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences.
Latvian Animator Gints Zilbalodis made a mark with his previous film Away and now his latest Flow, which is also entirely dialogue free, has earned some of the strongest reviews for an animated film this year. We follow a cute black cat as it wanders through an oddly human free world full of forests and jungles. Quickly the world becomes engulfed in a flood as the cat’s home and the cat statues that sit nearby fall beneath the flood waters. The cat finds itself in a battle for survival with the rest of the local animals finding a ship and crew of misplaced creatures including a capybara, lemur, dog and bird.
The animals initially carry on as they would normally, looking to assert their dominance before quickly realising that conflict will inevitably result in their demise and doom their chances of escaping the flood. The premise, simple as it may be would not be possible in live-action and animation is the perfect medium to tell this story in a gripping manner. While dialogue free the imagery is captivating with the animation unique and almost like an extended video game cutscene.
The distinct nature lends it a charm and makes it feel like a one-off, this certainly isn’t something you’d get from major Hollywood studios, with Zilbalodis involved in editing, writing, composing some of the film’s score and animating. A true labour of love, the passion dripping from the screen.
The world-building with the tools at his disposal is impressive with the flood and ever-present, ominous threat just out of reach. While we never interact directly with humans, there are lingers of civilisation from the boat the animals escape in, to objects including mirrors and other shiny objects that fascinate the lemur in particular, sculptures and imposing buildings that the unlikely crew encounter on their travels.
This is a deeply original film takes audiences expectations for animation and does something original in one of the best animations of the year. Its simplicity is its power providing stunning visuals and telling a heartfelt story of discovery and friendship in the unlikeliest of forms. It really cements Zilbalodis as a pioneering voice in animation and may well feature in awards conversations for animated feature and beyond.
Flow lives up to the stellar reputation it has built on the festival circuit and offers plenty for both children and adults to enjoy. It makes the most of its lack of dialogue, making brilliant use of its sound and visuals to tell a compelling, original story that feels fresh and vital.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Chris Connor
