“Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds” Movie Review, Live Streaming & Download

An animated tale filled with patience and kindness, “Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds” beautifully showcases the potential of animation. Directed and co-written by Benoît Chieux from Belgium, alongside writing partner Alain Gagnol, the film is influenced by various sources like “Yellow Submarine,” “Fantastic Planet,” “The Wizard of Oz,” Dr. Seuss, and Hayao Miyazaki’s works. Despite these influences, the movie maintains its elegance and cleverness, avoiding direct homages or references. The film was screened for a limited time by American distributor GKids at AMC Theaters, seemingly underestimating its broader appeal. Despite this, young audiences were captivated by its storytelling, likened to a bedtime story that engages the senses and the imagination.

The story unfolds as little Juliette, on the brink of turning five, along with her eight-year-old sister Carmen, visits her mother’s friend Agnès for her birthday weekend. Agnès, the creator of a popular children’s fantasy book series about “The Kingdom of Winds,” introduces the girls to a sorcerer named Sirocco, who controls air streams in the story’s world. A chance encounter with a magical toy propels them into a series of adventures where they are transformed into cats and face challenges orchestrated by The Mayor, turning them into outlaws. To escape the predicament, Juliette is handed over to the idolized opera singer Selma, while Carmen faces an unwanted marriage proposal. Their only hope lies in the wizard Sirocco, akin to the Wizard of Oz, who can help them find their way back home.

The film’s mesmerizing visual style is both simple and intricate, creating a soothing and immersive experience for the audience. The use of a wide-and-narrow frame technique generates expansive landscapes and abstract compositions with repeated shapes and solid colors, providing a tangible and substantial feel reminiscent of traditional art forms like drawing or painting. The meticulously regimented color palette gives the movie a mosaic-like appearance, enhancing the visual richness. The characters and creatures in the film exhibit a diverse and playful design, reminiscent of a mix-and-match selection that adds to the enchanting atmosphere. While the central narrative revolves around the girls’ journey home, subtle layers of deeper themes, such as transforming grief into art, enrich the storytelling experience.

Break free from the conventional standards of commercial animation, “Sirocco” offers a refreshing departure with its unique style and approach. By steering clear of the typical 3D animated aesthetics dominated by photorealism or exaggerated character designs, the film serves as a mental cleanse, liberating the imagination from corporate animation norms. Embracing a more artistic and imaginative storytelling method, the movie provides a fresh perspective on animated cinema, allowing creativity to soar.