Latvia’s animated film Flow has made history by securing two Oscar nominations, marking the first time a film from the Baltic nation has achieved such recognition. Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, the dialogue-free film follows a black cat navigating a flooded world. With a modest $3.6 million budget, Flow has already won a Golden Globe and is now competing in the Best Animated Feature and International Film categories at the Academy Awards.
Zilbalodis, surprised by the overwhelming success, initially expected a modest festival run. However, the film’s unique animation style and realistic animal behavior have captivated audiences globally. The New York Times praised its authenticity, noting how the animals act naturally rather than like humanized cartoons.
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Back in Latvia, Flow has sparked nationwide excitement, with themed street art appearing in Riga and fans lining up to take selfies with the Golden Globe trophy. Over 320,000 people have watched it in Latvian cinemas, surpassing Avatar and Titanic as the country’s most-watched film.
Despite its growing international fame, Zilbalodis remains committed to independent filmmaking. His next project will introduce human characters and dialogue for the first time but will continue to be produced in Latvia. With Flow’s success, the future looks promising for Latvian animation on the global stage.
