La luna
2012 · Directed by Enrico Casarosa
Original language: English
- animation
- family
- fantasy
The story
A young boy comes of age in the most peculiar of circumstances. Tonight is the very first time his Papa and Grandpa are taking him to work. In an old wooden boat they row far out to sea, and with no land in sight, they stop and wait. A big surprise awaits the boy as he discovers his family's most unusual line of work. Should he follow the example of his Papa, or his Grandpa? Will he be able to find his own way in the midst of their conflicting opinions and timeworn traditions?
What it’s like
Warm, sun-washed color on a dark sea: a wooden rowboat drifts beneath a huge, softly glowing moon, and the night air feels still and salty. The 3D animation has the grain and brushed texture of painted gouache, with rounded shapes, tender close-ups of faces, and wide, quiet views of open water. The score is gentle and melodic, leaning on warm strings and light, playful passages, with long stretches of lapping waves. The pace is unhurried and wondering, building to a sweet, mildly comic reveal and a gentle, hopeful resolution. The emotional register is tender and nostalgic, a little bittersweet, about a boy growing up between two generations' expectations and finding his own way. It suits a quiet evening, a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea, or a comfort watch with family. Intensity is very low: no violence, no gore, no frightening content, and nothing harsher than mild peril. It is for viewers who want something short, tender, and beautifully crafted, with a sense of wonder and a few warm laughs.
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