Away

The movie "Away" is a 2019 delightful animated film that's sure to tug at your heartstrings. Crafted with compelling poignancy and innovative animation, the film is a poignant exploration of loneliness, fear, self-discovery, and the liberating power of friendship.

The plot follows a young boy who's unexpectedly thrown into a fascinating journey across a surreal landscape after a mysterious and devastating accident. He wakes up alone, stranded on a deserted island without any memory of how he got there, or even who he is. With only a small backpack and a motorbike for company, he must attempt to navigate his way through this unfamiliar terrain filled with otherworldly creatures, hauntingly beautiful landscapes, and bizarre geography. His only guide, a small fluttering bird that he befriends and names 'Tweet', becomes an essential companion in his journey home.

"Away" stands out from most animated films primarily due to its immersive storytelling. The director Gints Zilbalodis, who wrote, animated, and scored the film singlehandedly, transports audiences into an enchanting world, where silence serves as an eloquent narrative device, with zero dialogue throughout the entire film. This artistic choice relies heavily on visual storytelling and complements its minimalist aesthetic beautifully. The film's pacing is intentionally slow, lending a dreamlike quality to its sequences, encouraging viewers to soak in each moment and truly connect with the protagonist's emotions and experiences.

Zilbalodis's animation style is uniquely appealing, fusing photorealistic landscapes with simplistic, stylized character designs. This contrast creates an aesthetic that is both familiar and alien, grounding viewers in the visceral reality of the protagonist’s plight while also imbuing the film with a disarmingly fantastical quality.

Supporting this innovative visual design is the movie's score, also created by Zilbalodis. The gentle and ethereal soundtrack effortlessly complements and enhances the high-stakes adventure, nuanced quiet moments, and breathtaking landscape scenes unfolding onscreen, creating a powerful and immersive viewing experience. Even without dialogue, viewers can feel the emotions deeply because of the extraordinary synergy between the film's animation and its music.

Moreover, "Away" also delves into profound themes, like the fragic transience of existence, the struggle for survival, and the essence of freedom. Watching the young boy traverse through stunning sceneries, while confronting his fears and anxieties, offers viewers an opportunity to introspect on their life journeys. The various kinds of otherworldly creatures encountered during the boy’s journey can be interpreted in numerous ways, acting as symbolic representations of fear, challenges, and obstacles inherently human in nature.

Despite the film's overall melancholic aura, the budding friendship between the boy and Tweet adds a layer of warmth and charm to the narrative. Their bond forms the heart of the movie, imbuing it with moments of joy, companionship, and courage. The pair's resilience, interdependence, and unmistakable bond underscore the film's exploration of themes of friendship and survival in a vast, uncaring universe.

"Away" is not a conventional animated feature. It does not rely on dialogue, humor, or high-energy action sequences to engage its audiences. Instead, it uses its minimalist approach to narrative and design to create a contemplative and lyrical viewing experience. This cinematic gem encourages viewers to pause and reflect and is bound to remain etched in their minds long after the credits roll.

Whether you're a cinephile, a fan of animation or someone seeking unique storytelling, "Away" offers a sublime experience. Ultimately, this film is a remarkable testament to the power of silent narrative, resonating on a deeply emotional level, narrating a story about survival, friendship and, most importantly, hope despite adversities.