Gints Zilbalodis’ critically acclaimed animated feature Flow, a dialogue-free survival story following the journey of a solitary cat, has captivated audiences across the globe and achieved impressive box-office success. The film, which claimed both the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature earlier this year, has grossed more than $36 million globally as of March 17, exceeding expectations for its $3.4 million budget.
Distributed internationally by Charades, Flow opened in North America in November, where it earned $4.6 million (€4.5 million) through releases by Sideshow and Janus Films. The film’s success has extended far beyond the U.S., with notable box office returns in several countries: $6.7 million in Mexico, $1 million in Brazil, and $3.4 million across Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay. In its native Latvia, Flow has earned $2.1 million, while France, where it attracted 682,217 viewers, saw $5.4 million in earnings. Other notable markets include Germany ($1 million after its first weekend), the Netherlands ($1.3 million), Spain ($1.6 million), and China ($2.7 million after its third weekend). Vietnam’s early numbers were also promising, with $591,000 from 157,000 admissions after its first weekend.
Premiering in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, Flow went on to a remarkable awards season, winning over critics, audiences, and voters. It ultimately triumphed in a competitive category that included films like The Wild Robot, Inside Out 2, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and Memoir of a Snail. Notably, Flow became the first film from Latvia to be nominated for, and win, an Oscar in the Best Animated Feature category. Additionally, the film was nominated for Best International Film, further solidifying its global impact.
Flow is set in the aftermath of a devastating flood that disrupts the world and follows an independent cat as it learns to share a boat and cooperate with a group of animals. The film has been widely interpreted as an allegory for current issues like climate change, drawing attention to the need for unity and collaboration in the face of global challenges.
Director Gints Zilbalodis, who made his feature debut at age 24 with the internationally successful Away, referenced the timely themes of Flow during his Oscars acceptance speech. “We’re all in the same boat, and we must find ways to overcome our differences and work together,” Zilbalodis remarked. He also noted that Flow marks the first time a Latvian film has been nominated and won at the Oscars, expressing hope that it would “open doors to independent animation filmmakers around the world.”
Before the Academy Awards, Zilbalodis spoke about the success of Flow, acknowledging that despite being a smaller, dialogue-free animated feature, the film’s success demonstrated animation’s ability to transcend boundaries. “People are realizing that animation can be for all kinds of audiences, not just kids,” he said, underscoring the broad appeal of the medium.
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