SNAPSHOT
The Brazilian film — directed by Gustavo Steinberg (End of the Line), Gabriel Bitar (Cidade Cinza) and Andre Catoto (Say I Am Only Seventeen) — follows Tito, a shy 10-year-old boy who lives in a world on the brink of pandemic, where fear is crippling people, making them sick and transforming them. (synopsis (c) Hollywood Reporter)
There’s a lot to be afraid of in our world right now.
Everything from climate change to the rise and rise of the far right to countless wars and so much more besides is priming us not so much for fight as flight.
The worst part is you begin to feel as if there’s nothing you can do but as a new Brazilian animated film, Tito and the Birds makes gorgeously clear – and the artwork is a thing of breathtaking beauty (Indiewire describes it lush colours and landscapes as resembling oil paintings – maybe there is a way to combat the fear and not being changed or maligned by it.
If ever there was a message the world needed to hear right now, it’s this one, and what a beautiful vehicle to deliver it in – let’s hope it makes it right the world and we can all think about staring down the fear and embracing love and hope and all the good things instead huh?
Tito and the Birds premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France in June; North American launch will take place at Toronto International Film Festival with release scheduled in theatres later this year.