Memoir of a Snail
The Australian animation, nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, is the long-awaited new release from director Adam Elliot, who captivated audiences with his film Mary and Max.
Australian director Adam Elliot finally brings us new animation. His successful film Mary and Max (R&A 2009) raised expectations, which Oscar nominee Memoir of a Snail fully delivers on.
Loosely based on Elliot’s own experiences, this tragicomedy tells the story of Grace Pudel. Grace grows up in 1970s Melbourne with her alcoholic father and her twin brother Gilbert. Gilbert fiercely defends his sister, who collects snails and is often bullied. Their mother died during childbirth, and when their father passes away, the twins are sent to foster homes in different parts of Australia. Grace ends up with a kind but frequently absent couple with a swinger lifestyle, while Gilbert is sent to a harsh, fundamentalist religious farm. Isolated from the rest of the world, the siblings keep in touch and maintain hope through letters exchanged between them.
Memoir of a Snail tackles difficult themes with empathy and relatability. Black humor and hope peeking through the gray clouds lighten the visually stunning stop-motion story. The film reminds us that, amidst the chaos of the world, one can find small, good things that make life worth living.
Outi Rehn
Trailer
