On one side of the coin – the eyes of a dark grey cat, like two deep worlds. On the other – five friends, each distinct yet side by side, bound by an unforgettable experience. Between the two sides – a breathtaking odyssey, as they share a single boat, fleeing the floods. This is the animated film Flow, directed by Gints Zilbalodis, that has won more than 80 awards, including an Academy Award ("Oscar") in the United States. "I didn’t know there were so many in the world," the director said.
The coin Flow honours Latvia's most acclaimed film, a journey that is both extraordinary and challenging. Gints Zilbalodis has spent half his life with the story of a solitary cat's relationship with water, progressing from the short film Aqua (2012) to the triumph of Flow (2024), and admits that, while he has lived as a loner like the cat, he has learned to collaborate with others. This experience has allowed him to showcase the power of independent animation on the world stage, achieving brilliance with modest resources.
The film's characters also embark on a journey within themselves: the free-thinking cat learns to confront challenges head-on, the friendly dog frees itself from pack instincts, the noble secretarybird is ready to sacrifice itself for the sake of others, the lemur, a collector of shiny objects, dares to seek friends beyond its tribe, and the loyal capybara remains calm even in a storm. Together, they overcome shared fears for survival, as well as their own individual anxieties. A moving testament to the life-saving power of cooperation and friendship.
Flow continues to travel the world's cinemas, wordlessly posing riddles and stirring the waters of the soul, no matter how different we may be in the same boat.
