In the world of animation, animals often talk and act like humans, but Gints Zilbalodis’ Flow takes a refreshingly different approach. The Latvian director immerses viewers in a unique perspective — seeing the world entirely through the eyes of a cat, with no dialogue to guide the story. Instead, emotions and themes are conveyed through meticulously crafted animal movements, stunning visuals, and dynamic camerawork.
Flow tells the tale of a solitary cat forced to navigate a world transformed by a devastating flood. The cat must confront two fears — water and the unfamiliar company of other animals — to survive. As the narrative unfolds, the water mirrors the cat’s emotional state, growing chaotic during moments of fear and calming as connections form.
The concept for Flow began years ago as a short film inspired by Zilbalodis’ own cat.
“I thought this idea of a cat being afraid of water was something very universal that doesn’t need to be explained, so we can tell that story without dialogue,” he explains to Deadline.
Over time, the project evolved into a feature film, focusing not only on the cat’s internal struggles but also on its relationships with other animals.
Creating authenticity in Flow required a thoughtful balance between realism and artistic interpretation. Zilbalodis and his team studied animal behavior extensively, referencing videos, observing pets, and recording real animal sounds to ensure lifelike performances. However, the approach leaned toward 'naturalism rather than realism.'
"We study real life but we don’t copy, we interpret it," says Zilbalodis, emphasizing that hyper-realistic details were avoided to leave room for audience imagination and emotional projection.
Visually, Flow is a masterpiece of stylized animation. The film uses graphic textures and exaggerated colors while grounding the elements in nature, from the movement of grass to the wetness of water. The camera plays a vital role, operating almost like a character itself. With long, handheld-like takes — some lasting up to five minutes — the cinematography enhances the immersive experience, pulling viewers deeper into the cat’s world.
Zilbalodis’ bold choices have paid off, with Flow making history as the first Latvian film shortlisted for the Oscars in the Best International Feature category.
