Song of the Sea

Name:- Song of the Sea
Genre:Drama, Fantasy.
Director: Tomm Moore

Song of the Sea, nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 87th Academy Awards, is a visually stunning hand-animated film that uses folklore to take us on an incredible adventure with a 10 year old Irish boy, Ben, and his mute six year old sister, Saoirse.  

This fairytale of a movie has a plotline based on selkies which are mythological creatures that live in the sea as seals but shed their skin to become humans on land. Moreover, the film involves a giant, an owl witch, a seanchaí, and other faerie creatures. 

Despite being packed with such supernatural characters the story still remains true to the leads; the film is about the very real emotions between the two siblings who lost their mother during Saoirse’s birth. The movie is a study on how Ben and Saoirse’s relationship evolves as they go through a life altering experience decorated with these surreal characters.

Other than emphasising the significance of a sibling’s role in life, the movie dives deep into the importance of being in touch with one’s self. It depicts how being torn from her own true identity leads Saoirse to decay as a person. Therein, the movie boldly illustrates how a parent shouldn’t actively go against a child’s genuine passions and natural talents despite thinking it’s for the best. 

The movie is rated PG, and it’s important to realise that this family appropriate movie is one which has immense emotional weight. The film has gorgeous animation and lovable characters to captivate a child but it hints at excruciating moral dilemmas which can only be appreciated by a more mature viewer.

This 93 minute long film of masterful story-telling is accompanied by no less than 25 songs, of a total of approximately 54 minutes, crafted to perfectly fit into the animation without feeling overdone in the slightest. The title song has the most breathtaking ability to be simultaneously soothing and almost heart-breaking in its beauty.

People should watch this movie as an experience to value its content as well as be mesmerised by the appeal of the brilliant artwork and soundtrack. Both emotionally draining and rewarding at the same time, Song of the Sea leaves the audience wondering whether to cry or to smile.