FLOW

VIFF 24 REVIEW BY: DARREN ZAKUS

DATE: OCTOBER 1, 2024

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 

Flow is a smartly animated and meditative feature that excels without any dialogue thanks to filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis’s emphasis on the natural tendencies and reactions of the lead animal characters, which creates an instant and deep emotional connection with the audience to bring this beautiful tale to life. 

In the animated genre, we are so used to animals being able to talk and express human feelings and thoughts, or even if they can’t speak, still act like humans as seen earlier this year in Robot Dreams. But sometimes, animals are just animals, and it is refreshing to see them portrayed as such on screen within the animated genre. And that is where the beauty of Flow lies, which marks the second feature film from Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis. The film, which tells the story of a cat, a dog, a lemur, a secretary bird and a capybara who due to rising water levels and flooding are forced to survive together in a boat, is absent of any dialogue. Purring, barking and the sounds of the animals create the audio track of the film, while their natural reactions to sharing a small space with each other and their environment populate each scene. There are environmental ideas at play in the story as the devastating effects of global warming and rising water levels are displayed, and while it plays out in a Noah’s Ark-esque fashion, the film is never heavy handed with its messaging but instead allows the journey of these characters to develop naturally. Instead, beautiful small moments play out like the cat trying to catch light reflected off a mirror, the capybara repositioning itself around the boat sleeping trying to find a comfortable spot, or the excited golden retriever wanting to play with the other animals, letting the personalities of each animal character to fully come to life on screen. More meditative than narrative driven, but absolutely infectious with its earnest depiction of these animals and its heart, Flow becomes a rollercoaster of emotions with moments of joy, laughter, and true fear as you watch this merry band of creatures navigate the changes to their world.

The animation in Flow is refreshing in today’s world of three dimensional computer generated animation, bringing a fresh vision infused with nostalgia. Gorgeous animation brings to life the world of Flow from the lush backdrops of each scene and the water which looks almost real, while the animals themselves feel like they are directly out of an early 2000s video game. This stylistic choice for the animals is noticeable and takes a few scenes to get used to, but it blends so well with the rest of the film’s animation, making the film feel like an extended cut sequence from a video game in the best way imaginable. It all works together to create an all encompassing animation experience that allows the individual personalities of the animal characters take audiences on a wonderful journey in the world. Without any dialogue, the film’s musical score composed by Zilbalodis and Rihards Zalupe helps to guide the audience through the emotions of the story, setting the stage for many of the film’s scenes. The musical compositions are beautiful, capturing both the playful and curious nature of the animals in this new world, as well as the danger and stakes as their environment threatens their lives, helping to make Flow an animated journey unlike any other. 

With the animals that are the central characters in this film, especially that lovable cat, immediately earning a spot in viewers’ hearts, Flow is a unique animated film that must be seen on the big screen as a shared experience with a large crowd. Letting the natural tendencies and antics of the animals and the film’s musical score guide the emotional beats of the film, the mesmerizing animation and sentimental story that reflects on the looming threat of climate change makes Flow an enchanting, heartfelt animated odyssey that is going to capture the hearts of all viewers.