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AntonNP
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O Menino e o Mundo (2013)
A genuine masterpiece
This movie is a genuine masterpiece, humane and complex. It's a story of wonder and discovery; the plot simply resolves around this idea. The movie offers the viewer a chance to see the world and explore its immensity together with the little protagonist, and it's simply an offer you can't refuse when each scene is so delicate and so full of life, and draws you in so intensely.
Searching for his father, the titular boy runs from the countryside to the modern city, seeing and meeting an array of characters, all of which portray different states and facets of life, no matter the fact that they not once dialogue – the movie has virtually no spoken lines, but all emotion is generated by the actions and the (very Brazillian) rhythm of the instruments. You can feel the bright joy of the singers, the exhaustion of the rural workers as they go on with their labor routine, the boy's curiosity, and courage to enter each different environment.
Speaking of environment, each is unique, and is as alive as the characters that inhabit them. The boy's home brings a sense of comfort,the cotton plantations are mostly composed of repetitive patterns of trees and carts. The busy city is cramped with ads and cars and machines of all kids.
So although being, in general, lighthearted, the tone is quite emotive; after all, it represents the spectrum of human emotion.
The animation is scribble-like, resembling crayon drawings done by a child, but the fluidity and kaleidoscope of thus fitting perfectly well its theme.
It's the kind of art that I'd recommend anyone to see at least once, for it has much to offer in its pseudo-simplicity. It's a portrait of life, through the eyes of an exploring child.
Deviant! (1997)
Good ol' quirky short
I find Deviant! to be a hidden gem of simple charm. It can be seen as just another caricature of a very restrict society where life is rendered virtually meaningless; the implications of actual, severe punishment for even the slightest infractions, however, contribute to make the environment, rich in its grayness and dirt, more suffocating and depressing.
Of almost childish design, the characters are quite expressive in their mannerisms and movements. They gain so much life when they're being deviants. There's an almost surprising change in mood when the protagonists leave their homes at night to break as many rules as possible, and the speed of the scenes increase, combined with an exciting chase-like soundtrack.
It's simple but charming, and succeeds at making one feel with the atmosphere and the characters. The animation and music are a strong point.