GINTS Zilbalodis is discussing his Oscar -nominated animated movie “Flow”: NPR

Scott Simon, host:

“Flow” is a moving movie from Latvia, starring a dark cat, yellow laboratory, tail resonance, Capiba, and a long -term bird that gathered together to try to survive. The movie affects, but it is not a standard carton. Animals have no names. It is not expressed by celebrities. In fact, there is no human speech at all.

(Soundbite of Cat Meowing)

Simon: We only hear Meows, Barks, Whines and Caws for this crew of all different types, traveling together about what looks like the governed and strange landscape. “Flow” is one of the candidates for this year for the best mobile feature. It is directed by Gints Zilbalodis from a joint book by the director and Matiss Kaza. Gints Zilbalodis is now joining us from Latvia. Thank you very much with us.

Gints Zilbalodis: Thank you. It is great to be here.

Simon: The opening of this film really shakes scenes. What do we see? What is the event in the life of this earth?

Zilbalodis: Well, we first see the cat in peace in her home, but shortly after, there is this terrible flood that overwhelms his home. The cat must find a shelter on a small boat with a group of other animals, and not really in line with.

Simon: Yes. Well, it’s different types, right? And if it is permissible for me, they – the instinct is fighting like cats and dogs. But what picks up?

Zilbalodis: The story revolves around these very different characters that find ways to settle and overcome their differences and overcome them, because I believe that the cat will not make it on its own through this world. So it comes to cooperation, and there are no heroes or evil. We hope that we can attach to all characters. But the source of the conflict is in fact the flood.

Simon: Yes. Can you tell us what is happening in the world, or did we leave us on our own?

Zilbalodis: Well, yes, it is a kind of ambiguity because the story is listed through the cat’s point of view, and the cat does not know where humans went from or where the flood comes from. So it was important to stay in this view, and wanted to create an experience where you feel like you are the cat. For this reason, I wanted to strip him of any unnecessary exhibition and reach this point as quickly as possible.

Simon: I must ask, does any product tell you, look, this is great. I love this. We get Timothy Chalamite to express the cat, Emma Stone to be the dog. Perhaps Adam Sandler is the bird.

Zilbalodis: Well, no, not exactly, because it is somewhat small and independent. In this type of product, I think we have more creative freedom to take greater fluctuations and experience things that may not be already proven. But in this case, we really risk. I think that because there is no dialogue, it was found in reality the largest audience. There is a completely universal thing about it that everyone can understand, and make these characters behave like real animals make them more emotional and intense. It becomes just a more interesting story.

Simon: Without giving a lot, there is a particularly stunning scene when an animal is in trouble. All other animals combine together to fill the rope, each with different gifts and different power points. Am I wrong – and I do not want to use a word like a lesson or the message – but is this offer when I do not know – I don’t know – together, great things are possible?

Zilbalodis: Yes. I think these characters had not succeeded on this journey alone. They have differences, and they argue and fight. But yes, in the end, they find a kind of common way forward. But it is important to be part of this story. It is not a simple message. It is something that I try to raise in discussions and ask questions as much as it tells you exactly what you feel. This is why there are some open things for the viewer to explain them.

Simon: Can you tell us about this, all, a software source called Blender you used to make the movie?

Zilbalodis: Yes. We used a free open source program called Blender, which means anyone can access these tools at the present time. Any child can download this program for free and make movies with the same tools that we make of this type of feature films shown in theaters. It is good like a tool like any of the most expensive tools there. But yes, this allowed us to work on a more modest independent budget. It is a very flexible tool. I don’t think we may not be able to do this in the traditional way, both in terms of technology, but also with regard to how to produce films.

Simon: What does it mean, Mr. Zilbalodis, to be nominated for the Academy Award?

Zilbalodis: It is a great honor. Of course, this is the first time that anyone has been nominated from Latvia. So at home, everyone follows every small piece of news that comes out of the entire award season. So we have already won Golden Globe, and the statue was shown at the National Museum of Arts in Latvia. So people waited even for an hour in the queue to see it. So it was a great kind of cultural feeling here. This is really amazing not only Latvia, but I think this will open a lot of doors for independent directors to tell their stories in places where it may not be a big industry.

Simon: Gints Zilbalodis is the “Flow” manager, in theaters now. Thank you very much with us.

Zilbalodis: Thank you.

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