Flow – A World to Save is the animated film that won the 2025 Golden Statuette. Directed by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, it draws us into an animated odyssey where nature and survival instincts merge into a silent dance (the only audio in the film is the music).
The plot unfolds in a post-apocalyptic universe, where a mysterious flood has swallowed all traces of human civilisation. Our feline protagonist, forced to abandon his shelter in the trees, finds safety on a drifting boat. Here, fate unites him with unexpected companions: a placid capybara, a curious lemur and an alert secretary bird. Together, they form an improvised ark, sailing through the submerged ruins of a world that once was.
As the viewer immerses themselves in this tale, they discover details that open windows to the new scenery. Like the discovery that even the banana tree has its own flower, a pink wonder suspended beneath the bunch of fruit, a symbol of hidden beauty and resilience. Or an unknown bird that, for no apparent reason, stands up for the cat, proving that even in nature there are unexpected alliances. Wildlife, just like human society, is organised around definite roles: protagonists, outcasts and antagonists, each with a task to perform in the delicate choreography of survival.
In Flow, animals “talk” about us
Zilbalodis, already known for his previous work Away, continues his exploration of dialogue-free storytelling, relying on evocative imagery and an immersive soundtrack to communicate deep emotions that need no dialogue. The choice not to anthropomorphise animals lends authenticity to the characters, allowing the audience to connect through gestures and glances, in a universal language that transcends words.
“They don’t talk, they don’t walk on two legs, they don’t wear clothes. They are far from the artificial anthropomorphism that has saturated the world of animation,” Zilbalodis said. “Yet, their emotions are familiar to us because they mirror our existential questions: where do we come from? Where are we going? How can we live together?”
Production of the film was an international undertaking, with animation teams located between France and Belgium. Using the open-source software Blender, Zilbalodis and his team created a visually mesmerising world, where every wave and ray of light contribute to building an atmosphere as real as it is dreamlike. The soundtrack, composed by Zilbalodis himself together with Rihards Zaļupe, mixes electronic sounds with natural elements, gently accompanying the journey of the protagonists and that of the viewer.
Since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, Flow has garnered unanimous acclaim, winning prestigious awards such as Best Animated Feature at the European Film Awards and the Golden Globes. Its ability to tell a profound story without the use of dialogue has made it a top contender for the Oscars as well, with nominations for both Best Animated Feature and Best International Film.
Where to watch Flow
Streaming on Prime Video starting 6 March, the film represents one of the most original and immersive cinematic experiences in recent times. Without words, it tells of a community that is formed in emergency, a group that learns to share the helm and that at the end of the journey seeks a new place in the world, a changing world that challenges them to find a new balance. Flow is a journey that invites the viewer to be carried along by the current, rediscovering the value of bonds in an ever-changing universe.
