Song of the Sea is the latest animated feature from director Tomm Moore. Don’t know who Tomm Moore is? Think back to 2010, to the 82nd Academy Awards. Remember the nominees for Best Animated feature? Among the American works of Henry Selick, Pete Docter, and Wes Anderson, there was an Irish film called The Secret of Kells. Most people stateside had never heard of the film, much less watched it, but anyone who did found it hard to forget. Much like Kells, Song of the Sea features incredibly lovely animation, a story rooted in folklore, and adorable children singing.
The story of the last Seal Child’s journey home. After their mother’s disappearance, Ben and Saoirse are sent to live with Granny in the city. When they resolve to return to their home by the sea, their journey becomes a race against time as they are drawn into a world Ben knows only from his mother’s folktales. But this is no bedtime story; these fairy folk have been in our world far too long. It soon becomes clear to Ben that Saoirse is the key to their survival.
If Song of the Sea turns out to be as good as the trailer makes it look, Moore may just strike Oscar gold at the next Awards.