The Latvian film Flow has made history by winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This film is unique because it has no dialogue, allowing its visuals to tell the story.
Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, Flow was up against big titles like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot. It is also the first film from Latvia to receive an Oscar nomination, marking a significant achievement for the country.
The plot revolves around a cat searching for safety after a devastating flood destroys its home. This heartfelt story has resonated with many viewers.
Director Gints Zilbalodis began working on Flow in 2019 using Blender, a free, open-source software. This film is his second feature, following his earlier work, Away.
On stage at the Oscars, Zilbalodis thanked his parents and his pets for their support. He emphasized the importance of unity, saying, “We are all in the same boat and must overcome our differences to work together.”
Flow has achieved remarkable success, grossing $20 million worldwide and becoming the most-watched theatrical film in Latvian history. It also won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Film earlier this year.
Reflecting on the film’s impact, Zilbalodis told the New York Times, “People are tired of bad news, and maybe this film offers something hopeful that boosts the country’s self-esteem.”
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs celebrated the film’s achievements, calling it a “great moment for the team and Latvia!” in a tweet following the Golden Globe win.
Last year, the award for Best Animated Feature went to Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron.
For more updates about this year’s Oscars and other film news, keep an eye out.