Ailleurs

When I sat in the cinema watching the first chapter, frankly, I was not very much impressed. I was curious to see the film, as it was done by my fellow countryman, but being unfamiliar with any other works of Gints Zibalodis, the animation style looked like of an old videogame and the beginning seemed way too slow and boring... BUT! As the story was progressing, I became more and more invested in it.

This animation film is about a boy, who finds himself alone on a dreamy island, pursued by a surreal monster consuming every living creature on his way. The boy tries to run away from the monster and find his way back home.

To begin with, viewers need to acknowledge that the plot is something of secondary importance in this film - like in Virginia Woolf's novels, it is simple, abstract and unconventionally conventional. Even though there is a good amount of action, high-tension and even heartbreaking scenes, Away is more like a meditation on life and loneliness without any complicated plot twists. By the end of the film, many questions are left unanswered, such as why the monster couldn't get the boy in the oasis etc. However, it is that kind of metaphorical story that makes you step away from hectic reality and reflect on what you have just seen on the screen.

I have mentioned before that the animation did not impress me right from the start. Zibalodis used an old-fashioned, 2D technique, which may be off-putting at first, but, still, the film has absolutely marvellous scenery. The landscapes were captivating and reminded me of Japanese anime. Even the lack of graphic details on the characters does not prevent you from caring for them. The score was captivating and created just the right atmosphere - the music said all that needed to be said, even without dialogues.

Overall, the film turned out to be a real hidden gem. It is beautiful, inspiring and unique. Zibalodis did a brilliant job and, shockingly, all by himself. Definitely worth watching!

I would recommend this to everyone. Contains valuable insights on life which really resonate... how to conquer our fears, to push ourselves or allow our souls to wither away by just fearing all the negative outcomes; how helping others can end up saving us. Also loved the animation style and music. Picture worth a thousand words done right!

A boy finds himself tangled in a paracute in a forest. He gets down. He discovers a hulking, black figure that will follow him, a little yellow bird that will accompany him, and a motorcycle he will ride across an island which seems populated only by cats, bird, and tortoises across an island that clearly was once inhabited but now has been abandoned by people.

Who is he and how did he get there? We don't know and are never told. There is clearly a spiritual component to this journey, but that is never clarified; we simply watch him make the journey. Clearly we, as the audience, are to assign meaning to these actions, his origins, these clearly physical beings with murky, metaphoric meanings.

I'm sure Gints Zilbalodis knows at some level. This Latvian film maker did everything in this animated feature but help on the accounting and be the press attache in France. But since he didn't say clearly he wants us to make up our own minds about this journey.

An eerie, dreamy animated film which showcase the extra amazing talent of a single person, Gints Zilbalodis. If you are a movie maniac and always trying to discover something new and different, this is a must watch.

Truly a uniquely inspiring film, Away captures a delicate balance between immense intricacy and sheer minimalism with ease and sustains it for the entirety of the film. This harmony exists in every aspect of the production and makes for an extremely satisfying time. I can't wait to own a copy and watch it many more times for years to come. If you get an opportunity to see a screening then do it! You won't regret it.