Agua Viva

A perfect construct driven by writer/director Alexa Lim Haas. The scene is inside the thoughts of a woman working in a nail salon in the US. English is a second language and she struggles to communicate beyond simple words that cannot be misunderstood. The film lets us experience this while also getting closer to someone feeling disconnected, self-care, self-image, and who is even is.

As that brief plot summary suggests, it is a thoughtful piece and it works so well because all of its parts are doing the same thing at the same time in terms of tone. The writing is insightful and engaging; and it is supported really well by the voice work and the candid way it has been recorded. The music adds to this, but it is the animation that seals the deal as it floats around the world, with soft colors and shapes working well. I could have done without the graphic material, but it only jarred me a bit in the midst of such balanced and nuanced material.

It is soft and floating, but it is very much worth a look.