Song of the Sea | Film review - Enchanting animated fantasy

Drawing deep inspiration from Irish folklore and Japan’s Studio Ghibli, Oscar-nominated animated fantasy Song of the Sea is quite simply magical.

Kilkenny-based director Tomm Moore, maker of 2009’s The Secret of Kells (also Oscar-nominated), successfully weaves together the trials of a modern, motherless family with an exciting adventure tale involving faeries, witches and giants as a peevish 10-year-old boy learns that his mute six-year-old sister is a selkie, a mythical being who is half-human, half-seal.

It’s gripping stuff when the pair strive to return from the city to their lighthouse island home. But their questing journey is rooted in recognisably real emotions. The animation, blending strong lines with delicate watercolour washes, is exquisite, too.

Certificate PG. Runtime 92 mins. Director Tomm Moore

Song of the Sea premieres on Film 4 at 2.45pm on Tuesday 11 April. Studiocanal release the film on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Download.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrhoOzW8oF8

A film critic for over 25 years, Jason admits the job can occasionally be glamorous – sitting on a film festival jury in Portugal; hanging out with Baz Luhrmann at the Chateau Marmont; chatting with Sigourney Weaver about The Archers – but he mostly spends his time in darkened rooms watching films. He’s also written theatre and opera reviews, two guide books on Rome, and competed in a race for Yachting World, whose great wheeze it was to send a seasick film critic to write about his time on the ocean waves. But Jason is happiest on dry land with a classic screwball comedy or Hitchcock thriller.