Song of the Sea draws inspiration from Irish mythology to tell the story of a young girl, Saoirse, who can transform from a human into a seal when in water. In Irish folklore, people gifted with this ability are referred to as Selkies.
Song of the Sea
The film visually mirrors Tomm Moore's first animation The Secret of Kells, capturing the beauty of the sea and the life within in, but also life on earth. To celebrate the theatrical release of the film in the UK on July 10th, we take a look at some of the most pivotal and memorable folklore and mythological films...
- The Secret of Kells (2010)
Brendan comes from Ireland, where he is undertaken as an apprentice by the local monastery. One day he overhears monks discussing a magical book named Iona, which can 'turn darkness into light'. As a sacred object, the book of Iona needs protection, and Brendan puts himself forward for the role.
The film follows his quest for gall nuts, which are used to make the emerald green ink for the book. Searching for the ink in the surrounding woods and dreading a possible wolf attack, Brendan is rescued by a young girl named Aisling.
She introduces him to a safe colourful, beautiful world of vivid green trees, butterflies and singing birds. Together the duo face trials and tribulations as they attempt to overcome the obstacles in order to keep the book safe.
- Hercules (1997)
Disney's adaptation of the Greek mythological tale portrays the story of Hercules, son of Zeus, who was snatched as a baby and forced to live as half-man and half-God. Unaware of his true parentage, Hercules grows up believing he is a mortal.
The animation conveys the challenges Hercules endures to reclaim his title as a hero. Accompanied by his faithful companion Philoctetes and Pegasus, they learn together the best ways for Hercules to defeat the opposition he faces.
Sacrifice, bravery and strength are central messages to the film, as Hercules learns that by offering his own life in exchange for another's permits his immorality to return.
- Spirited Away (2003)
The Japanese animation Spirited Away, tells the tale of Chihiro and her parents who discover what they presume to be an abandoned amusement park, which instead is a magical world. Upon their visit her parents are turned into giant pigs by the witch Yubaba, and become trapped in the spirit world.
Chihiro has to find a way to restore her parents to their original form, and seeks help from Yubaba by offering to work for her in return for her parents' freedom and return to humanity. Helping Chihiro on her journey to save her parents is a young boy familiar with the magical world, named Haku.
He explains to her how the park is magical place for supernatural beings that desire a break from earth. The duo, alongside other magical creatures embark on a journey to find Yubaba.
- Mia et le Migou (2008)
The visually unique French animation, Mia et le Migou, is about a tree that has magical powers, and grows upside down. Business man plan to destroy and build over the sacred tree.
A young girl Mia has a premonition about the tree, and the workers who will be in danger if they begin to demolish it. In order to save them, and the magical tree, she embarks on a journey to protect their fate.
On her expedition Mia meets creatures called Migous who aid her in her expedition, and form a close friendship.
- Pans Labyrinth (2006)
Ofelia the daughter of a sadistic army officer, escapes from her home in Spain in 1944, and enters a fantasy world she unexpectedly finds in her garden. Drastically contrasting the reality of her home, the magical world in which she finds herself offers escape from normality, but also excitement and danger.
One day wondering in the maze near her home, Ofelia discovers a faun named Pan who explains to her the legend of the lost soul of a princess. Pan convinces Ofelia she is this lost princess, and tells her she must complete three different tasks before she can reclaim her title.
The film follows Ofelia on her journey, facing her difficulties within the magical world, and also the human one.
- The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Created by the visionary Japanese director Isao Takahata, this animated film portrays the story of a bamboo cutter who discovers a little girl inside a bamboo tree. Growing at a usually fast rate the princess is unfamiliar with her new life.
Originally born to a family in the countryside where she was surrounded by the beauty of nature she begins to long for it. Her beauty captures the attention of many suitors, pushing her further away from the social etiquette she is expected to adhere to.
Eventually the princess confines to her new parents that she originally from the moon, and that she broke their laws by coming to Earth and attempting to be a mortal. The moon hears her demands, and although Kaguya has grown attached to earth, the moon brings her back.
- Song of the Sea (2015)
Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse - the last Seal-child - who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.
Song of the Sea, directed by Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells) features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny.
Song of the Sea comes out in the UK July 10th!