Areia

An animated short film from Brazil filled with adventure and fantasy.

Inspired by the diary of Jose Francisco Machado, this story follows a lone adventurer on an incredible journey across vast and desolate locations.

The adventurer mentioned above is the only person in the film. Dressed in clothing that looks appropriate for a long trek and with the face covered by cloth, preventing determination of gender, he or she seems mysterious. And the eyes are two bright yellow lights. Is this entity even human?

Over the course of six-and-a-half minutes, this strange adventurer will travel across landscapes that include a desert and mountains and they will pass through a storm. Is this the Sahara desert? Is it an imaginative location that the story is taking place in?

The traveller appears to be on a mission. During the journey, the character will locate a buried chest and a necklace, both of which appear to have otherworldly powers. The protagonist has a map and appears to be searching for these items. Why?

Since there are no spoken words (or written ones for that matter), what is going on in the story is not clear, which is not a bad thing, as leaving things open to interpretation can be satisfying. It is the visuals that primarily tell the story and they do so quite effectively. The animation could be described as a blend of computer animation imagery and traditional animation and the result certainly pays off. From start to finish the film is a pleasure to watch, with wonderful colours throughout. Commendations go to Allan Dantas and Alex Ferreira for their fantastic work.

The audio is another factor that enhances the viewing experience. Composer Grace Torres develops a score that is adventurous and dynamic and the chanting builds a dramatic atmosphere. Sound designer Ulisses Galleto also does a great job with the sound effects.

This film is a short fantasy adventure that takes the viewer on a magical and dangerous journey with striking visuals. For six-and-a-half minutes, this animated short offers a thrilling adventure that is surrounded by mystery.