Bannière Horizontale JauneThe Red Turtle, a collaboration between veteran short film animator Michael Dudok de Wit and animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli, is a simple fable of deep spirituality.

With its simple hand-drawn style and wordless, therefore completely universal, story, The Red Turtle, over the course of its short running-time, quietly achieves a sort of profundity which addresses the cyclical nature of life and the universe.

The surreal imagery with which Ghibli have always been adept pops up in surprising and imaginative ways here, and it is for us to decide its meaning as the story simply unfolds, warmly inviting us in.

Expect to be hearing more about The Red Turtle in coming months as a token non-3D animated film at various awards ceremonies – though it’s worth so much more than that. 

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Michael Dudok de Wit

WRITER: Michael Dudok de Wit

SYNOPSIS: An unknown man washes up on the shore of a deserted island, and unable to escape, he begins to build his life there.

The Red Turtle was screened in Un Certain Regard at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.