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SKY UNDERWATER, THE

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I found this short animated film from Norwegian filmmakers Maria Galliani Dyrvik and Anita Jonsterhaug appealing because it is so different and the protagonist, Mia so likable. She needs to experience things for herself rather than believe what others tell her to be true. Mia is curious and adventurous, like many children. I believe children watching this will enjoy her character and relate to her. The animation is quite wonderfully done. It is simple and not full range animation. I also enjoyed the voiceover talent for Mia. It is youthful, clear and emotional. The film is well constructed and easy to watch but, the message is a bit unclear. I found myself wanting to know the backstory of why Mia and the others were living under the sea with trash all around them. In some ways, the ending is more of a beginning. I wanted to see where it would evolve to after she comes to the surface. This would fit into a film festival looking for films that address the environment, marine life, ecology and similar. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 15. Reviewed by Denise B. and Julie S., KIDS FIRST! jurors.

It's 2050. Six years old Mia lives in the city of Bergen, under a glass dome, 537 meters under the sea level. Every night, the Big Light wakes her up, clean and beautiful, unlike the rest of the world underwater, which is full of trash. Mia wants to travel out of the dome to see the Big Light, but the Adults hold her back and tell her everything is dangerous out there, because it's full of sharks. Mia escapes anyway, and finds out that neither the sharks nor the world outside the dome are as dangerous as the fearful Adults want her to believe. Gathering the trash around her with the help of her friends, she will fly up to the surface to see the Moon for the first time. From Norway with English dialogue.