AWAY

OUT 28 AUGUST / CINEMAS / CERT U / 75 MINS DIRECTOR Gints Zilbalodis

Conceptualised, animated and scored in its entirety over three years by Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis, Away’s evocative visuals are more than enough to forgive its occasionally rough movement. A hypnotically simple, wordless survival story following a young boy parachuted into a strange environment, it’s hard to fault Away for any rudimentary animation, already impressive for its DIY construction but even more so for its genuine beauty, brought about by its strong visual storytelling and an excellent score. The scenery is perhaps stronger than the character animation, the barren vistas and expansive landscapes feeling a lot more emotive than the occasionally inexpressive main character, but more detail isn’t needed, as what he’s thinking is always clear. One can only imagine what Zilbalodis is capable of with more resources at his disposal.