A black, big-eyed cat stares at its own reflection in a pond, as if trying to discover something about itself. This is how Flow begins: a poetic experience that intertwines themes of identity, solidarity, and ecological fragility, set in a post-human reality where nature has reclaimed control.
The main character is a solitary, timid cat that finds refuge on a boat after a devastating flood. Onboard, it teams up with unexpected companions: a frantic Labrador, a hoarding lemur, a narcoleptic capybara, and an overbearing bird. Together, they embark on a perilous journey toward mysterious mountains on the horizon—their only hope of salvation in an otherwise desolate landscape—while the water level continues to rise.
The film is the result of a unique co-production among Latvia, France, and Belgium, directed by visionary Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis, acclaimed for his previous work Away (2019). This time, Zilbalodis collaborates with an international team to create a visually striking film that combines 3D animation with artistic sensibility. With no dialogue, the movie relies on evocative imagery and a suggestive soundtrack, composed by Zilbalodis himself in collaboration with Rihards Zaļupe. The choice to avoid anthropomorphizing the characters enhances the film’s authenticity, allowing actions and visuals to convey emotion.
This approach, amplified by long tracking shots and a virtual camera that explores a detailed three- dimensional environment, creates a suspended and immersive atmosphere reminiscent. It evokes the aesthetics of independent video games such as Stray, Journey, and Inside, where storytelling, often devoid of dialogue, unfolds through meticulous details and evocative atmospheres. It is precisely through this mode of storytelling that the film introduces its central theme.
Throughout Flow, the characters confront their individuality by gazing into their reflections, sometimes in the water, sometimes in fragments of a mirror—relics of a vanished humanity. This intimate, solitary self-confrontation evolves into a finale where their gazes converge into a collective reflection. The film suggests that salvation lies not in isolation, but in the capacity to form connections, thus overcoming personal barriers.
Critically acclaimed, Flow garnered prestigious accolades in 2024, including both the Jury and Audience Awards at Annecy, Best Animated Film at Guadalajara, and a slot in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. Ultimately, it won Best European Animated Film at the European Film Awards and is now a contender for the 2025 Golden Globes.
With Flow, Zilbalodis confirms himself as a true auteur in contemporary animation. The film is not merely a survival tale, but a lucid, poetic meditation on the importance of connections among living beings. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by major productions, Flow elevates the value of independent animation, demonstrating its ability to stand out and garner acclaim through originality, depth, and a distinctive artistic imprint.
