Flow

Writer & Director: Gints Zilbalodis

Writer: Matīss Kaža

Flow is set in a flooded land where the only inhabitants seem to be animals, both domesticated and wild. When the water levels continue to rise, a timid and isolated cat realises it must find safe land. But the cat can’t do it alone and needs to learn to trust in others to survive. On its adventures the cat finds a group of similarly stranded animals including a Dog, Lemur, Capybara and a Secretarybird, who together set sail on a boat to travel the water filled lands to find safety.

Flow is an Oscar winning, dialogue free, survival adventure. Using animals rather than humans, it tells a touching tale of bravery, ingenuity, trust and most importantly friendship.

Even without a word of dialogue or any obvious anthropomorphic transformation of its animal cast, you fully buy into the individual personalities of each of the animals at the story’s centre. The cat, in particular. takes you on a journey and engages you with every look, purr, and movement. Together, you see the animals bond as they learn to overcome their differences, work together, and help each other survive the challenges in front of them.

It’s gorgeously animated, the animals are not meant to be  photo realistic but give you all you need to see every character nuance. The landscape is hugely detailed, especially the incredible animation of the water and the life in it.

The film does have some mild peril and its moments of tension, but overall it’s a wonderfully told, animal based action adventure, suitable for the young and not so young.

Flow is a fabulously made animated adventure. A dialogue-free story of a cat and a band of animal friends looking to survive. It’s a thoroughly engaging tale fully absorbing you in each character, their personality and battle to safety. A beautifully told story of bravery and friendship—animation at its best.