From six o’clock in the afternoon of this April 30, the Zocalo of Mexico City was already full of adults and children who enthusiastically awaiting the special projection of Flowby director Gints Zilbalodis, the Oscar -winning film and the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film.
While the filmmaker has sought in recent months to focus on his next project –Limboan animated film that will include humans, animals and dialogues – confessed that he could not “say no” to travel to Mexico to attend the one that, he said, will probably be forever the greatest projection his work will have, already held around the world.
The CDMX government ordered thousands of chairs so that the capitalists could take a place before the start of the function. In addition, the organizers gave sweets, popcorn bags, various snacks and, through the microphone on stage, encouraged the attendees on different occasions while the start time approached.
Stiving vendors also took advantage of the expected influx to offer their products. Many of them adapted to the event and put small capibaras for sale – like that of the film – designed to place themselves in the head, as well as the already classic “Changuito Mión” so popular in the Chapultepec forest.
Although the event was mainly dedicated to childhoods, many of the attendees were complete families, couples, marriages of older adults and even people alone accompanied by their pets.
The phenomenon that Flow He has generated in Mexico, he lived as never before during this afternoon in Aztec lands. The presence of the expected director Gints Zilbalodis was held with shouts and applause by the public that crowded the capital Zócalo.
On the stage, arranged to receive a screen of hundreds of inches – you must show every detail even the spectator closest to November 20 Avenue – not only the filmmaker, but also its producer Matīss Kaža and the head of government, Clara Brugada.
Clearly overwhelmed, Zilbalodis took the microphone and thanked the thousands of people gathered for loving their film with such passion. Described Mexicans as “the biggest fans” than Flow It has worldwide.
-“Flow It is a movie about a cat, but it is also much more than that. It is a very personal story for me. I did it with a very small team and be here in front of so many people is not to believe, “confessed the director.
“I think it is a very exciting moment, and they have surely seen many films here and I hope that they will see many more, made by people who are here at the audience and that will surely be seen here or around the world.”
Flow It tells the trip of a dark gray fur cat that faces the fall of the world as we know it, due to mass flood. In the middle of the Apocalypse, to survive, the minino joins forces – although involuntarily – with a chip, a capibara and a lemur.
“This is really the best way to watch the movie,” said the director with the plot of his film in mind. “All together, overcoming differences and working for a greater good.”
Throughout its tour of festivals and projections worldwide, since its premiere in May last year in Cannes, Gints Zilbalodis has been shown as a shy and withdrawn filmmaker who never imagined becoming a star or idol of fans and aspiring to the seventh art. Therefore, being in front of such a large crowd was, without a doubt, a shocking moment. He confessed that he will treasure him for the rest of his life.
“Seeing you all here is overwhelming. I have had an amazing reception in Mexico. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life. This is a very special place,” he concluded excitedly.
The head of government of Mexico City, Clara Brugada, celebrated the presence of the filmmaker and took the opportunity to give her a gift: a kitten like that of her film, designed with Huichol art.
The function of Flow It began shortly after seven o’clock at night, under a slight drizzle that did not scare the capitalists. Stoics, remained attentive to the screen and the poetic universe created by Zilbalodis.
