SNAPSHOT
Inspired by true events and filled with messages of empathy and hope, Umbrella follows Joseph’s story, a boy who lives in an orphanage and dreams of having a yellow Umbrella. 2021 Oscar® Qualified Animated Short Film – Created and Produced in Brazil. (synopsis courtesy YouTube)
Umbrella, written by Helen Hilario and Mario Pece is one of those exquisitely well-made animated short films that rips your heart out and puts it back in again (in the best possible way).
In just seven or so minutes, the film tells the story of one little orphan’s desperate need to have a yellow umbrella, a need so impelling it leads him to steal one when it’s placed in the rack by a mother and daughter visiting the children’s home where he lives to delivery toys.
Why he would go to such lengths is explained in a profoundly moving story that goes to the heart of why a yellow umbrella matters to him, and what gaining it adds to his life which becomes immeasurably richer in the aftermath.
There is a richly affecting beauty to this perfectly-judged short film that uses no dialogue but still conveys a whole world of emotion, impacting you in such a way that you don’t soon forget this gem of the Oscar-nominated Brazilian short film.
It’s a film that also comes with a timely message for a world very much in need of human kindness and empathy.
“The film makes us reflect on the importance of observing, listening, and understanding that we cannot judge people without knowing what is behind their experience,” says Hilario. “Everyone goes through situations that we can’t even imagine, so we must be kind to each other. That’s why we thought focusing this narrative around empathy and hope, which we need more and more. We always wanted to make a film without dialogue and use animation, music, and the narrative itself to evoke deep emotions and reflections.” (Cartoon Brew)