Latvia’s Flow, directed by Gints Zilbalodis, emerged as one of 2024’s most unexpected yet remarkable cinematic achievements. This groundbreaking animated feature has garnered over 20 international awards, claimed the prestigious Golden Globe, and made history as the first Latvian production to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Set in a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic world devoid of humans, Flow follows the journey of a resourceful cat navigating this new reality alongside other animal survivors facing an impending global flood.

What Makes Flow Extraordinary

Open-Ended Conclusion Leaves Viewers Pondering

The film’s open-ended conclusion sparks endless speculation. Will the characters find new ways to coexist after the flood? How might their relationships evolve under extreme conditions? What lessons about survival and community can we learn from their experiences? This multilayered approach allows each viewer to find personal meaning in the story.

Authentic Animal Sounds Present Unique Challenges

Recording authentic animal sounds proved a significant challenge. The lead cat required covert recording methods to capture natural vocalizations, while capybaras vocalized only during specific situations, necessitating innovative solutions. Even common sounds had to be carefully crafted to align with each character’s personality.

Themes Explored Through Animal Characters

At its core, Flow uses animals to explore complex human characteristics and social dynamics. Each character mirrors distinct human traits:

• The Cat: Represents adaptability and resourcefulness, always alert and ready to adjust to changing circumstances.
• The Capybara: Embodies balance and calmness but warns against complacency and indifference.
• The Secretary Bird: Symbolizes strong leadership qualities, including the ability to make tough decisions even when unpopular.
• The Labradors: Reflect youthful energy and the need for social connection.
• The Lemur: Critiques modern consumerism and materialism.

These characters create a rich tapestry of personalities that children can learn from, while adults will recognize familiar traits and behaviors. Director Gints Zilbalodis drew parallels between his own experience building a team for this project and the cat's journey of learning trust and collaboration.

Storytelling Without Dialogue

Released during a time when humanity was still processing the impact of a global pandemic and political turmoil, Flow resonates deeply with contemporary concerns about survival, cooperation, and environmental challenges. Without relying on dialogue or human characters, the film invites viewers to interpret its many layers.

Early scenes showing remnants of civilization, like boats hanging from trees, suggest previous floods and possible evacuation. The director intentionally left these details ambiguous, encouraging audiences to form their own theories. The mysterious secretary bird raises fascinating questions about perception and reality—is it divine intervention, a hallucination, or a leader emerging in times of crisis?

Unique Visual Style

Flow boasts a visual style that breaks away from traditional animation conventions, creating a distinctive aesthetic that enhances its storytelling. Inspired by watercolor techniques and video game design, the animation achieves a dreamlike quality that perfectly complements the film’s themes. Unlike blockbuster animations with sharp outlines and fast-paced editing, Flow immerses audiences with seamless transitions and extended shots, creating moments of pure cinematic magic, such as when the camera follows characters through expansive landscapes without cuts.

Critical Acclaim and Recognition

Despite its modest $3.5 million budget—a fraction of competitors’ resources—Flow received widespread praise from industry leaders. Guillermo del Toro called it "a visionary beginning for animation's future," Bill Hader declared it "the best film of 2024" (despite his allergy to cats), and Wes Anderson praised its "absolute uniqueness and wild excitement."

The film’s success demonstrates how creative vision and innovative techniques can overcome financial limitations to achieve artistic excellence recognized worldwide.