Deadline’s Read the Screenplay series featured the script from Flow an animated movie that is described as a cinematic masterpiece from director Gints Zilbalodis who wrote it alongside Matīss Kaža. The script was written as a solely 35-page document of directorial guidelines using zero dialogue and instead creating an experience through unique story telling techniques. This unique script which features only directions by Matīss Kaža and Zilbalodis further elevates this movies status among top films this year.
'Flow' Receives International Film Oscar Nomination Plus Many Other Significant Accolades
The highly acclaimed Flow which originally debuted at Cannes Film Festival is also Latvia's submission for an International Feature Film Oscar and recently made short list. The movie has been collecting major awards notably best feature at Annecy plus also recognition at Los Angeles and New York and even by National Board of Review critics adding to its impressive list of accolades. Flow is contending for multiple international and animation accolades at the Golden Globes the Annies awards plus both Critics Choice awards alongside the Independent Spirit Awards further demonstrating recognition among key industry leaders .
'Flow' Surpasses Two Million Mark at Domestic Box Office Demonstrating Success Of Original Film Vision
The Janus Films and Sideshow release called Flow made its way into United States theaters beginning November 22 recently surpassing 2 million dollars at the domestic box office indicating its ability to resonate with broader audiences. Despite its unique experimental approach to visual story telling its ability to reach 2 million domestically signals a success for the small film. Flow has also been successful critically with award nominations and winning many accolades in festivals for film which suggests more than commercial success will carry this title for long term viewership.
Absence Of Dialogue Elevates 'Flow' Storytelling as Animals Navigate a Perilous Flooded World
The unique screenplay in Flow details a specific journey of a cat a capybara a lemur a bird and dog each one embarking on a dangerous trip after their homes experienced extreme flooding. The narrative purposefully avoids traditional archetypes instead eliminating standard hero vs villain themes and generating story structure from consequences of natural disasters which is different from common Hollywood production methods. Gints Zilbalodis also stated he purposely did not put dialogues in this story because it does not naturally appear for him in creative expression which leads to his choice of utilizing more cinematic visual style for communicating his unique movie to audiences.
The film explores how fragile the environment can be and how valuable bonds of friendships are as it encourages resilience for each animal as they adapt to their difficult current condition in their new environment. The animated team made their own choice to leave out dialogues focusing specifically on use of nonverbal communication between characters using action and specific movement to advance the overall storyline which made it different among more mainstream projects.
Timeless World Building and Universality in ‘Flow’: Breaking Down Cultural And Linguistic Barriers
The exclusion of human presence reinforces the visual nature of world construction of Flow allowing Kaža and Zilbalodis to show a landscape without any recognizable historical periods which creates timelessness to the architecture on screen. Zilbalodis emphasizes animation has ability to connect to subconsciousness more than live action often limited by cultural aspects. He specifically states animation tends to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries being inherently more universal by its visual design approach.
Zilbalodis continues to state animation is not that different but another type of storytelling method using a creative visual technique often blending animation and live action components and influences of both for Flow . Zilbalodis stated that the animated elements were necessary to make unique visuals for Flow using animal characters and camera moves in a unique cinematic experience blending styles which makes for an important and specific production decision. He ultimately hopes that the audiences can identify the universal aspects of his story with their own lives and recognize the similarities it shares across all human experiences despite its unique presentation.
The script for this title will also be available online for public view. The innovative and expressive film from Latvian writer director Gints Zilbalodis can be easily recognized in the international scene with numerous awards and accolades which makes it one of a kind of film this season.