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Memoir of a Snail
Adam Elliot’s Oscar-nominated tale of separated twins in 1970s Australia is a funny and moving stop-motion triumph.
Director: Adam Elliot
Overview
Fresh from its success winning the Best Film Award in the BFI London Film Festival’s Official Competition, Adam Elliot's humorous and impactful animated tale is a triumph. Grace and Gilbert are twins who, due to tragic circumstances, were separated as children. They grew up in very different families – Grace goes to live with a ‘swinger’ couple, while Gilbert is ensconced with a religious fundamentalist family – but tried to remain in contact. As time moves on, Grace withdraws into herself like the snails she cares for, until she meets Pinkie, an old woman who has ‘done it all’, from making love to John Denver to playing ping pong with Fidel Castro.
The Oscar-winning director of Harvey Krumpet and the beloved Mary and Max, Adam Elliot employs his offbeat wit and unique production design to winning effect here, to create a quirky yet touching stop-motion masterpiece. Don't let the fact that it's animated fool you – alongside its rich vein of humour are distressing scenes and the film packs a powerful emotional punch.
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