WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
You choose to do what you have to in order to survive. While it would be nice to assume that we all have the means to live without there being any obstacles, reality sadly dictates this is not the case for far too many people. When residing within a system that is breaking, or already broken, the manner in which we must choose to get by potentially turns desperate. This is amplified even more when there are other equally desperate reasons we must take on rash actions we justify out of good intent. But, is there actually a choice? It is the 1970’s, Iran, and a young street urchin does his best to provide for not only himself, but another who is struggling. With no friends and no way to legitimately gain what he needs most, an unexpected run-in with a lonely canine changes his world, one day at a time.
Next, my Mind:
A conclusively whimsical underlying tone expanding on the beauty and necessity of true friendship plus the accompanying support it brings forms the foundational core around an otherwise sobering tale of desperate survival amidst the harsh realities of street life in 1970’s Iran through this surprisingly unflinching yet ultimately endearing 16-minute Oscar qualifying animated short film from writer/director/producer/editor Aryasb Feiz, writers Kaveh Ruintan and Amir Zoghi, executive producer Sadia Ashraf, and lead animator Negah Majlesi. Far from what most would deem a “typical” boy-and-his-dog adventure, the more lighthearted elements the film delivers are consistently, but with good purpose, tempered by the more serious facets of it, even as events unfold that make it clearer and clearer what reasons are in play that drive everything forward.
The factors which might push us to take many more chances, much less potentially dangerous ones, to obtain that which we are so deeply in a state of urgency for get highlighted through this narrative following a 10-year old boy existing on the streets of Iran who does whatever it takes to seek out and snatch not only food, but an even greater, imperative set of items key to taking care of another in his life that is otherwise one of apparent isolation and loneliness. The circumstances that alter this actuality is where the humorous elements come into being, but don’t necessarily take too long to get back to the dramatically edgy instances that still dictate most of the film’s atmosphere, again to excellently compelling magnitude as things are revealed which truly define who this boy is and why he strives in the manner he does, even in the face of definitive peril.
This critic did find it refreshing, however, that by the time we reach the film’s finale, it is filled with messages of heartstring-tugging relief, reassurance, human bonds, and the value of companionship, unexpected or otherwise, that wins the day, in spite of all that might attempt to disrupt those positive and affirming sensibilities from entering our lives. It is the knowledge that we CAN face our trials and be ready for precisely what the film’s title states–tomorrow–and do so WITH a happier outlook. Now, I also admired the fact that the film doesn’t choose to just gloss over the veritable fact that certain choices DO have consequences, some worse than others, and the moments the film explores these aspects is quite affecting in their own right. Additional thematic lessons on the burdens of caring for another, choosing to cover one’s own needs at the possible cost of someone else’s, being there for others, trying to stand against those who are in the wrong, and recognizing just how much WE can use support all get looked into throughout the film as well, in both stirring and, even if just initially, hard ways.
Effectively, at the root of it, justified selfishness vs. requisite selflessness. The animation is unequivocally engaging, and for this critic heralds back to earlier days of hand-drawn, really perhaps first CGI-based, efforts, which is a perfect fit for the story here, as there’s that fanciful approach to it that makes the characters so unavoidably captivating and fun to watch, even with the sometimes heavier mood of the narrative itself. The boy and the dog are just a hoot together, and this to me IS a testament to the animation style allowing their appearances to be so wonderfully emotive and relatable. Music also very much assists in carrying the day, with its ebbs and flows fluidly mimicking the air of events as they are presented. These visual and aural elements are key mainly due to the fact there is no actual dialogue here, rather just the grunts, groans, laughs, and building frustration/agitation (watch the film to understand) as voiced by Farvaag and Mahsa Ahmadpour.
So, in total, “Tomorrow” finds its focus with an effectively executed visual appeal and grander high-spirited delivery that gets paired with a unexpectedly intense, almost thriller-esque ambiance that fully draws you into its tale of woe and wonder, struggle and serenity, reluctant but necessary docility and defiance, plus an unflinching look at what lengths we will go to to see an end goal accomplished. Tack onto this the simple and charming beauty of a blossoming friendship that changes lives for the better, and you truly have a winning effort to view, contemplate, and in the end, smile about.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
