Flow
Ajyal Competition
Gints Zilbalodis / Feature Narrative / Belgium, Latvia, France / 2024 / 85 min / Colour / DCP
In No Dialogue / (No Subtitles) subtitles
Interests: Animation
Middle East Premiere
Rated: Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.
Synopsis
In a world overtaken by a catastrophic flood, a lone cat is forced to leave its devastated home and seek safety on a boat filled with an unlikely group of animals. As they navigate the surreal, waterlogged landscapes, each animal must confront the challenges of survival in an unfamiliar environment. Despite their differences, the creatures gradually learn to rely on one another, forging an uneasy but necessary alliance as they sail through this transformed world. The journey is marked by moments of danger and wonder as the animals face obstacles, both external and internal, testing their instincts for self-preservation and community.
The film presents a visually stunning, dialogue-free experience that relies on powerful imagery and emotional nuance to convey its themes. Through the vivid, dreamlike landscapes, the animals’ interactions speak to the primal forces of survival, fear, and cooperation. The film explores how isolation and togetherness shape the characters’ experiences in a post-disaster reality, offering a contemplative look at how creatures—human or otherwise—adapt to new environments. As they travel through this flooded world, the animals discover not only the vastness of the transformed landscape, but also the potential for connection in a time of profound uncertainty.
About the Directors
Gints Zilbalodis is a Latvian filmmaker and animator known for his distinctive style and ability to create emotionally resonant, dialogue-free narratives. His debut feature, ‘Away’, was awarded the Contrechamp Award at Annecy and screened in over 90 festivals worldwide, including Ajyal 2019. Zilbalodis has a background in hand-drawn animation, 3D animation, and live-action, blending these techniques in his work. His latest feature, ‘Flow’, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in 2024 and continues his exploration of visual storytelling and themes of survival, nature, and collaboration.
Credits
- Director
- Gints Zilbalodis
- Screenwriter
- Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža
- Producer
- Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman
- Production Company
- Dream Well Studio (Latvia), Sacrebleu Productions (France),
- Sales Company
- Charades
- Sound
- Gurwal Coïc-Gallas
- Composer
- Gints Zilbalodis, Rihards Zaļupe
- Other
- Léo Silly-Pélissier (Director of Animation)
- Distributor
- UFO Distribution