Sometimes all you need in a film is a story. No Words, now voice over just a beautiful soundtrack, stunning illustrations and a simple premise, the love between a man and a woman.
The Red Turtle is the latest film to come out of Studio Ghibli, and while it is a different style than they are use to and created in France instead of Japan, the beauty is still there. The story follows the life of a ship wrecked man who, while trying to escape the island on a self-made raft, is forced back to the island when a red turtle smashes up the raft. Angry at the turtle he finds it on the beach where the man smashes the poor thing over the head and flips it on its back. The turtle lays broken and dead, sending the man into the feeling of guilt. One day the man notices that over night the red turtle had turned into a beautiful red headed woman in a coma of sorts, who he shields from the elements. When the woman comes to the man expresses the guilt he feels and is forgiven by her. The film follows their love through the ages on the island that leads to a very emotional conclusion.
The Red Turtle shows emotion it it's most purest forms. From guilt, to love, to sadness and to joy, all with not a single word uttered. This film is truly beautiful. Michael Dudok de Wit has done a great job bringing these characters alive, something you can see in the special feature on the DVD release of the film where we are treated to a look at the first stages of the animation process. The love and care that has gone into this film is evident from the very start of the film, I love the Herge style of animation aswell, giving this a very different feel to other films in the Studio Ghibi film library, and this is a great thing.
If you can choose one film to watch coming up then you NEED to buy this film. Hauntingly gorgeous, quiet yet tells so much. The Red Turtle is a masterpiece in animation
The Red Turtle is the latest film to come out of Studio Ghibli, and while it is a different style than they are use to and created in France instead of Japan, the beauty is still there. The story follows the life of a ship wrecked man who, while trying to escape the island on a self-made raft, is forced back to the island when a red turtle smashes up the raft. Angry at the turtle he finds it on the beach where the man smashes the poor thing over the head and flips it on its back. The turtle lays broken and dead, sending the man into the feeling of guilt. One day the man notices that over night the red turtle had turned into a beautiful red headed woman in a coma of sorts, who he shields from the elements. When the woman comes to the man expresses the guilt he feels and is forgiven by her. The film follows their love through the ages on the island that leads to a very emotional conclusion.
The Red Turtle shows emotion it it's most purest forms. From guilt, to love, to sadness and to joy, all with not a single word uttered. This film is truly beautiful. Michael Dudok de Wit has done a great job bringing these characters alive, something you can see in the special feature on the DVD release of the film where we are treated to a look at the first stages of the animation process. The love and care that has gone into this film is evident from the very start of the film, I love the Herge style of animation aswell, giving this a very different feel to other films in the Studio Ghibi film library, and this is a great thing.
If you can choose one film to watch coming up then you NEED to buy this film. Hauntingly gorgeous, quiet yet tells so much. The Red Turtle is a masterpiece in animation
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