This movie touched me because it tells a story about a connection that seems to become extinct in today’s world: the sacred bond that humans share with nature and wild animals.
Perhaps you think that animation movies are maybe not for us adults. I used to think that too. But something of great strenght inside of me longs for watching animation movies because they address my inner child. The language and the visuals are simple yet they convey a thousand words into a single frame. Animations seem to speak to my soul in a way that traditional movies can’t.
Kensuke’s Kingdom (2023) tells the story of Michael, a boy who gets lost in the Pacific ocean with his dog Stella. They become shipwrecked on a remote island. How did this happen? Everything went so fine in a boat trip that Michael’s family has planned to do. Michael hides Stella as he was not supposed to bring her on the boat and his father later finds out about the lie, this causing a fight between the two. When a powerful storm unravels during their trip Michael runs outside to bring Stella indoors but a powerful wave sweeps both of them into the innards of the mighty ocean.
Marooned, lonely and scared, Michael wakes up on an island which seems eerie and scary. One morning though something odd happens: a delicious breakfast for both of them awaits them on a rock. Who is the misterious person bringing them food?
The movie has such a beautiful story about the old generation meeting the new one. The person bringing the boy food is Kensuke, an old man who has been living on the island alone for many years. Left without parents he is basically an orphan . He created his own sanctuary and filled his time with painting the natural wildlife and creating a beautiful sacred connection with the wild orangutans by offering them hand picked fruits while singing to them. How beautiful is that for a ritual?
Although they do not speak the same language the boy and the old man start to become friends. Kensuke sees himself in the boy: he knows what it means to become an orphan , to lose any sight of any relative. He has found solace in this island, in his bond with nature and with the animals. The boy brings colour into the old man’s life, becoming his friend. Seing how a friendship can unfold without the two people speaking the same language taught me a lesson about the true essence of friendship: the language of the heart spoken clearly through our own eyes.
Unfortunately a tragic event happens on the island: a group of poachers arrives on the place. They work overtime to catch a female orangutan who was carrying her baby. As Michaels tries to rescue both of them...death happens. The female handles her baby to Michael in the last minute, showing that in the end, animals choose to trust humans even when their life is in danger. She gets shot by the poachers. Now we have three orphans in the movie: Michael, Kensuke and the baby orangutan. The same story told through the lens of different beings. This seemed utterly profound to me and I admit that the theme of loss and grief was beautifully portrayed in this movie.
When all hope seems lost, Michael is beyond surprised to look at the sea one day and discover that a boat is heading towards the island. His parents are coming to get him. You see...looking at the joy that Michael had in that moment made me realize how easily we can take the people from our lives for granted and it is only though temporary or permanent loss that we learn how much they have given to us.
This animation teaches us about the power of acceptance: Kensuke remains on the island with the baby orangutan. Two orphans who share a love for nature. Michael has learned the power of friendship and camaraderie without speaking any word. He also learned how precious it is to still have a family. Both the boy and the old man have learned new things from each other in a circumstance that would have crushed most spirits.
I recommend this animation to nature lovers and to those who want to see the beauty of human nature which sometimes can seem lost...
