Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: LAMYA’S POEM [Annecy Animation Festival 2021 -Virtual]

The essence of animation for the masses are films that show the human experience from all sides but also perspective. This is a truism in "Lamya's Poem" [Feature Film Competition] which uses a parallel story showing a historical parable balanced with life on the ground in Aleppo (Syria) in 2016. While the texture of what the lead character Lamya is dealing with is harsh, she approaches it with an air of optimism and stamina without anger. It would be easy to make the character defensive or angry of what is happening in her country. But even in the opening scenes before conflict sets in, we see the essence of the family unit but also what is missing. The fact that Lamya and her mother connect through song (and thereby to her missing father) is refreshing but also that she takes such interest in school work and poetry is a brilliant touch.

In Western society, many kids are too rambunctious or ignorant at times to learn from history. It is only through study and understanding that mistakes are not repeated. The poems of Rumi and his same battle with invaders (in that case The Mongols) tells about that ideas will long outweigh the battles fought. But hate unfortunately runs deep and it can be hereditary simply by proximity. The fantastical basis that Lamya sees Rumi's poems portrayed in her mind's eye through Rumi's experiences is meant to show the light and darkness within oneself. The battles must be fought internally as well as externally. The representation of the dark castles and the monsters bring to mind elements of "The Dark Crystal" which again is an allegory for many things but also a parallel story to here.

One of the most impactful scenes is at sea, which is both a metaphor, the breaking point and a psychological construct. The progression from there into the third act is one of transference but also that the word (and the world) lives on. The animation is effective but not overly flashy. Certain flares (like one scene where the scale in reference to a dirigible is very dramatic) never takes away from the story. And in an era of representation, it shows a unique perspective that maybe is not seen as much which shows a real strife but that family, love and understanding are truly important treasures. B

By Tim Wassberg