CICFF Presents: Award-Winning Animation ‘Song of the Sea’ and ‘The Breadwinner’
Song of the Sea and The Breadwinner are a part of our Award-Winning Animation series curated by the experts at FACETS Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF). Films in the series are also available for virtual Field Trips. Check out our Field Trips page for more info.
Animated films are longstanding staples in family-friendly entertainment, and with recent additions to the canon like Isle of Dogs, My Life as a Zucchini and the recent Pixar hit, Soul, animated films have become more mature and have begun to tackle content that is not only beneficial to kids, but teens and adults alike.
In addition to the recent surge in animation with universal messaging, there has been an increase in “adult” animated films that tackle concepts many art house films do on a regular basis, but in an entirely different medium, with different rules and regulation. Films like Anomalisa, Waltz with Bashir, Mary and Max, Another Day of Life, and even Loving Vincent have shown us that animation does not just have to be for kids, it does not have to be just bright, colorful, simple, fun and easy to enjoy. It is its own medium entirely and it is a medium that needs to be taken seriously.
Within the world of animation there are two sides. Traditional 2D animation, and the newer CG (computer generated) 3D animation. From the original Mickey Mouse cartoons and classics like Spirited Away and The Triplets of Bellville, to the early CGI films like Toy Storyand A Bug’s Life, this pseudo “war” between 2D and 3D has been raging for years now. Each medium has its pros and its cons, its masterpieces and its flops. And each has its own cinematic tools at its disposal, from how to show emotion, to movement, to how a “camera” operates in an animated space.
It is difficult to say if one medium is better than the other because of their vast differences and contributions to the craft. However, there has been a measurable shift in the industry in recent years, leading to an over saturation of 3D animation. Because 3D is significantly faster and cheaper to produce than 2D, a large portion of animated films coming out in the last years have been overwhelmingly CG.
This change has created such a vast critical desire for 2D animation to the point where films made in the traditional, hand drawn style draw attention and garner praise. 2D animated films often feel richer, fuller, and more detailed, as if love has been poured into every single frame. In many cases, it feels this way because that is exactly how it was made–painstakingly.
When it comes to this style of animation there is one studio that has risen to the top in recent years for creating one masterpiece after another. A studio that breathed new life into the medium of hand drawn animation, arguably doing for this medium what Laika (the creators of Coraline and Paranorman) did for stop motion. That studio is Cartoon Saloon, the makers of The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, The Breadwinner, and most recently Wolfwalkers. Each of these critically acclaimed, well-loved films explore different characters, cultures, and stories, and share empowering messages for viewers of all ages.
Two of these films that we want to focus on in this article are two films that we proudly presented at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in their respective years. They are two films from Cartoon Saloon that are each heartfelt masterpieces in their own right. We bring them to your attention now as they will both be playing this weekend at the FACETS Virtual Cinema in a curated showcase of some of the best that modern animation has to offer.
Watch Song of the Sea March 13 and 14 and The Breadwinner March 20 and 21 as a part of our CICFF Presents: Award-Winning Animation screening.
Song of the Sea
Directed by Tomm Moore
The first film in our hand-drawn, award winning animation program is Tomm Moore’s Song of the Sea. Both a masterful retelling of the Irish legend of the Selkies, and a heartfelt examination of the bonds that tie us together. Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who embark on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets to their past. Pursued by the owl witch, Macha, and a host of ancient and mystical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever.
This film is rooted in old legends and traditional story telling styles, but it elevates itself beyond the limitations of its influences and its medium to allow the audience the opportunity to experience something truly beautiful. From the incredible hand drawn backgrounds, that allow for stunning moments of beauty, to the cartoonish and cute movement of the characters that serves as a reminder that this is all just a story, while simultaneously putting the audience into a playful state of mind that lets them experience the splendor of the films most beautiful moments with the eyes of a child. The same eyes as the main characters of the film. An animation masterpiece that is destined to become a classic, Song of the Sea is “A masterwork… The day you choose to see this film is one you won’t forget” (Los Angeles Times).
Watch Song of the Sea March 13-14.
The Breadwinner
Directed by Nora Twornry
The second film in our award-winning animation series follows the 11-year old Parvana living in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is wrongfully arrested, and her family placed in a very dire situation, Parvana is forced to cut her hair and disguise herself as a boy in order to support her family. With dauntless perseverance, Parvana draws strength from the stories her father told her, and ultimately risks her life to discover if he is still alive. Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is a timely and inspiring tale about the transcendent power of stories, and their potential to unite and heal us all. Parvana’s father tells her that “stories remain in our hearts even when all else is gone,” a very important lesson for audiences of all ages to learn. When everything else is gone, there are still strings that tie us all together, through shared experience and stories we share.
Like Song of the Sea, this film is focused on legends, fables, folklore, stories, whatever you want to call them. The story shows the impact that these stories can have on us, through the eyes of a child, the most easily influenced by the stories. In the same way Song of the Sea draws you into its childlike sense of wonder through art and movement, The Breadwinner draws you into a similar space with stories and lessons, but it sets out to accomplish different things once it gets you there. Song of the Sea wants to show beauty and magic. The Breadwinner shows hardship, but more importantly, how to get through those hardships, how to persevere and overcome. A message that resonates with anyone, a universal story for all to enjoy.
Watch The Breadwinner March 20-21.
Tyler Meder is an Editorial Assistant Intern at FACETS. He received his B.A. in Communication, Film, and New Media from Carthage College after completing his thesis on shot on video horror films. He has contributed work in video and writing to multiple industries including live theatre, which earned him an honors in Animation and Video Production from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
