The Oscar for Best Animated Short Film goes to Latvia’s “Flow”. This is an extraordinary achievement not only for its creators, but also for Latvia as a whole, a country whose creators have gained international recognition.
Two days before the Oscar ceremony on February 28th, H.E. Juris Poikāns, Ambassador of Latvia, invited guests to the Kultura cinema for a lecture on the film “Flow”, which was nominated for two prestigious awards at the time: an Oscar for the best European animated film and a Golden Globe. The screening of the film was preceded by a short speech by H.E. Ambassador.
– Ladies and gentlemen, this has been a difficult week, we have had an official presidential visit, so I am particularly pleased to be able to welcome you today at the screening of the Latvian film “Flow”, which has been nominated for an Oscar and I am glad that we will be able to watch it together. I would also like to thank the Ukrainian children who came to see the film today. I wish you all a pleasant viewing – said H.E. Juris Poikāns.
The film “Flow” is a production full of emotion, exceptional artistic vision and profound messages, which captures the attention of the audience with its uniqueness and experimental approach to storytelling. It is a film that combines elements of abstract animation with a deep, philosophical message.
The film tells about the nature of human existence, about the search for balance between control and surrender to the inevitable changes of life. The story is unusual, difficult to capture in traditional narrative frames – the film focuses more on emotion and atmosphere than on classical narrative.
It is a work that speaks with images rather than words – in this context it becomes a specific visual experience. The animators use a technique that balances between realism and surrealism, creating a space in which every element – from the characters to the background – has its own deeper symbolism.
The film’s greatest asset is its unique aesthetics. The animation is rich in detail, and the characters and landscapes themselves seem to live in an extremely organic way. Complex colour transitions, fluid character movements, and dynamic landscape changes make the whole thing seem like a living organism. The animators have perfectly captured the subtleties of emotions that are not expressed in words but in images, making “Flow” a sensual experience.
Perfectly chosen music is an integral part of the narrative. Compositions full of contrast and atmosphere work together with the image to create a harmonious whole. The sound in the film not only supports the action, but also helps to build suspense, making the film not only a visual journey, but also an audio-visual experience filled of impressions. “Flow” is a minimalist film that asks questions and provokes reflection on our place in the world, how we deal with emotions, expectations and change. It’s not easy to watch, but its deep symbolism and beautiful setting mean it stays with you long after the screening has ended.
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