The Song of the Sea (Review)

Director: Tomm Moore

Company(s): 
Cartoon Saloon, Digital Graphics, Magellan Films, Melusine Productions, Noerlum Studios

Year: 2014

Country(s): Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg

The next Miyazaki is in the making.

Cartoon Saloon is quickly establishing itself as a new animation powerhouse. The studio was founded in 1999, but did not really come into its own until the late 2000s following the release of several short films and its first feature, The Secret of Kells (2009). With the release of their newest movie, two TV series and upcoming feature in the works, Cartoon Saloon is setting an example for other small studios. Ethnically inspired, homegrown cartoons can find audiences, as they offer something different than typical Hollywood fare.

As for The Song of the Sea itself, it is a bit of a departure from Cartoon Saloon's previous film. While also heavily inspired by Irish mythology and traditions, it is set in modern times, specifically 1987. (The Secret of Kells is set around 800 AD.) Both of the film's art styles are also somewhat different as well. The Secret of Kells is dominated by interlacing spirals, geometric patterns, and thick outlines. On the other hand, The Song of the Sea veers more towards a rounded look, with smooth edges and sepia colors. However, the two movies share a similar theme: They stress the importance of family, and maintaining a sense of hope during difficult times. 

Tension bubbles just under the surface within the family.

The Song of the Sea focuses on ten year old Ben, his six year old sister, Saoirse, and his father, Conor. Conor is left heartbroken by the departure of his wife, Bronagh, who disappeared into the sea after giving birth to Saoirse several years before. Ben has grown to resent his younger sibling, due to all of the attention she receives from Conor, and to the fact that he associates her with his mother's disappearance. Saoirse is a very bright and curious child, but is also mute. Saoirse is the spitting image of Bronagh. In fact, she is later revealed to be a silkie (a person who can transform into a seal) like her mother. 

After Saoirse is found washed up on the shore on her birthday night, Grannie decides that Saoirse and Ben would be better off living with her than their alcoholic father. She takes the two siblings to live with her in Dublin. However, Ben plans to run back home on Halloween night. At the same time, Ben  discovers that the fairytale stories he was told by his mother appear to be real, when he and his sister encounter several figures form Irish mythology on their journey back home.

Boredom was also a good motivator to leave Grannie.

The characters in The Song of the Sea are complex and all grow through the trials they experience in their lives. At the start of the film, Ben is far more comfortable retreating into the world of comic books and reading his mom's stories than living in the present. He lavishes attention on his sheepdog, Cu, but rarely shows much affection towards Saoirse. It is not until Saorise falls ill that Ben realizes how much he has neglected her, and he decides to take matters into his own hands. 

Ben encounters many fairytale creatures on his quest to cure his ill sister (and, ultimately, save the rest of her kind). Some of them offer Ben advice, such as the forgetful but knowledgeable Great Seanchai, while others, such as the witch Macha, end up needing Ben's help instead. Macha is a particularly interesting character. Initially, she is introduced as the film's antagonist. She steals people's feelings and turns them to stone. However, we later learn that Macha does so in an attempt to rid others of bad feelings, she has even turned herself partly to stone in the process. Macha's first victim, in fact, was her son the giant Mac Lir, who was morning over the loss of his lover.

Both Ben and the witch, Macha, learn that locking up your emotions can actually do more harm than good in the long run. 

These mythological figures mirror people in Ben's own life. (And are in fact, portrayed by the same voice actors.) Macha represents Grannie, who attempts to help her family, but ends up accidentally causing tension by moving her grandkids in with her. Mac Lir represents Conner who is paralyzed by the loss of his wife. Finally, the Great Seanchai represents Dan the Ferryman, who acts as Ben's link to the outside world and offers him advice. 

At first glance, the animation used in The Song of the Sea seems rather simple looking. However, this works to the movie's benefit rather than hindering it. The stylized characters fit the mood of the film. They contrast with film's extremely detailed backgrounds, helping establish a relatable, but slightly otherworldly look. Since Ben's quest takes him between both the human and faerie worlds it works rather well. 

Both the final animation and concept art are beautiful.

The Song of the Sea is clearly a labor of love, having spent over five years in production. It tackles subjects not normally touched upon in mainstream family films, but does so in a way that is perfectly acceptable for children and that is easy to understand. The Secret of Kells already proved that Tomm Moore is a talented director, and this film further proves it. It is easily one of the best animated films to recently come out, and it was wrongfully robbed of its Oscar. Hopefully, The Song of the Sea will eventually get the attention it deserves.

Learning to accept life's troubles and moving on is the key to happiness.

Rating: 5/5

The Secret of Kells Trailers

To follow up the review, here are a couple of trailers for The Secret of Kells. If you are an animation fan, this is a must see. The US trailer evokes an eerier tone and focuses more on the action scenes in the film. The second trailer gives a better sense of what the film is about, but also has a few spoilers.

(Note: The Secret of Kells is now on Hulu. You can watch it for free here.)

The Secret of Kells (Review)

Director(s): Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
Company: Cartoon Saloon

Year: 2009
Country: Ireland

Hand drawn animation is not dead.

The Secret of Kells is a mixture of Irish folklore and an original storyline which explains the origins of Ireland’s most famous religious text, the Book of Kells. It centers around the childhood of Brendan, a young monk, who longs to see what life is like outside of the walls of Kells. He lives under constant pressure from his oppressive uncle, Abbot Cellach, who obsessively works on his wall in order to fend off Vikings, barbarians, and other dangers from the outside world. In his over protectiveness, he fails to realize that his is actually harming his nephew and the rest of the abbey’s inhabitants by cutting off their contact from the beauty and knowledge that can only be gained from firsthand experience. 

Brendan befriends Brother Aidan who serves as the father figure he never had. Aidan realizes Brendan’s talent and teaches him how to become an illuminator (a kind of medieval book illustrator) and encourages him to venture into the woods outside of the walls. It is in these woods that Brendan befriends a young forest spirit, Aisling, who provides an interesting contrast to the other characters. When she states that she is the last of her kind it symbolizes the extinguishment of Celtic animism. Never the less she and Brendan never argue about their different beliefs. (In fact, despite that the movie is based on a religious text the movie never preaches to the audience or tries to shove an overly moralistic message down their throats. The word Bible is never even mentioned; it is just passively referred to as the Book of Light.) 

Brandon, Cellach, and the Monks

Being an animated film, The Secret of Kells is automatically required to have a good artistic design in order to be successful. This is where the movie achieves its greatest success. The whole visual style of the movie is based off of medieval manuscripts and limited television animation contrasted by lushly detailed backgrounds (in places the character design resembles that of the cartoon series Samurai Jack and the video game series The Legend of Zelda). Each setting has its own unique style as well. For instance, the Aisling’s forest is heavily inspired by Art Nouveau and Gustav Klimpt which gives the scene a very intriguing, mysterious, yet welcoming feel. This is the exact opposite of Cellach’s tower which is very tall and looms over the entire abbey suggesting Cellach’s harsh leadership and constant wariness. (Cellach himself actually resembles his tower because of his own unnaturally tall height and slim build.) Other parts of the movie make great use color scheme. For instance, when the Vikings raid Kells the entire sequence is animated using only red, black, and white which adds to the unease and distress of the scene.

 Art Nouveau meets Celtic Art

Cellach is tall and imposing like his tower.

Animation style and color change with the mood of each scene.

Overall, The Secret of Kells is a unique visual experience that will not easily be forgotten once seen. I would not recommend it to the typical movie goer who is unfamiliar with Irish culture or is expecting a ‘typical kid’s cartoon’ to simply rent for their children’s enjoyment. However if you are an artist, interested in other cultures, or tired of this summer’s redundant sequels and blockbusters, then I would highly recommend this film. This is truly a wonderful yet overlooked film about how the preservation of one’s culture, acceptance of one’s core values, and the acceptance others are all essential in order to find hope and happiness in troubled times.

Rating: 4.5/5