Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis, whose FLOW/’24 is a well deserved global phenomenon, had only one previous feature to his credit. And while it’s not as original an idea as FLOW’s flood (a dystopian adventure for a young survivor looking for life on earth . . . or whatever dangerous planet he’s found himself on), it’s FLOW’s near equal in visual imagination and is even more of a personal achievement because Zilbalodis apparently did the whole thing himself. Don’t look for fifteen minutes of end credits; THE ENTIRE FILM: animated, directed, edited, scored by Zilbalodis; whom I hear also brewed the coffee. Of course, this would be meaningless if the film weren’t as good as it is, but it’s positively loaded with interesting ideas on fate, luck, companionship, philosophy, trust, misplaced fear, opiate for the ‘people,’ hope, pluck . . . you get the idea. Beautifully paced as a series of challenges & obstacles overcome to get to the next step on his journey against an enigmatic demon who may be as much friend as fiend. And what character development animation for the lead and the little animals who come & go. (Where does this talent come from?!) Plus, for anyone who wants to know how somewhat limited CGI can blossom under the eye (and hand) of a single artist rather than a committee, here’s your chance. Heck, he’s even managed to get a shade of GREEN on screen that doesn't slightly nauseate.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: As mentioned, FLOW. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2024/10/flow-2024.html
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