Window Horses

Window Horses is an intriguing animated film from 2016. It stars a cast of accomplished actors and actresses, including Elliot Page, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Sandra Oh, who lend their voices to the beautifully illustrated characters. The film offers a unique narrative orbited around poetry, cultural exploration, and self-discovery, merging the modern with tradition to form a unique blend that speaks to a wide demographic of viewers.

The film revolves around the aspiring young poet, Rosie Ming, voiced by Sandra Oh, whose charm and wonder take center stage throughout the narrative. Rosie lives in Vancouver, Canada but dreams about going to France to follow her poetic aspirations. Despite her dreams and wishes, she has never traveled overseas, limiting her explorations to the world of poetry, where she delves into the limitless universe of words and emotions.

However, Rosie's life takes an unexpected turn when she is invited to a poetry festival half a world away in Iran. Despite her initial trepidation, she embarks on this unfamiliar journey. Rosie's curiosity and excitement shines through as she navigates this unfamiliar landscape, creating a compelling narrative that bridges the divide between the West and the East through the universal language of poetry.

Throughout the film, the viewers follow Rosie's enchanting explorations of Iranian poetry, culture, and history. These explorations are navigated under the mentoring guidance of an Iranian poet, secretly voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo, who introduces Rosie to the magic of traditional Persian literature, an undoubtedly enriching affair for the young poet.

Each character in this animated narrative is wonderfully designed and intriguing, contributing meaningful dialogues and interactions to the storyline. Elliot Page gives voice to Dietmar, a fellow poet hailing from Germany, who is another crucial element to the plot. The relationship between Dietman and Rosie adds depth and warmth to the narrative, illustrating the compassionate side of human relationships in various encounters they have during the festival.

Window Horses elegantly merges the animation style with the narrative, breaking the stereotypical molds usually associated with animated films. The film primarily uses simple black and white stick figures, yet intricate and colorful patterns often burst into the utilitarian design reflecting the rich, poetic, Iranian landscape. It is both an artistic and narrative choice, allowing the viewers to focus on the poetry and emotional core of the film rather than on the physical characteristics of the characters.

While on the surface, Window Horses offers a fascinating journey into the Iranian culture and the world of poetry; at its core, it is a touching and introspective narrative about identity and heritage. Rosie's voyage in Iran goes beyond the exploration of a foreign culture, gently steering into the realms of self-discovery and a search for origins.

Director Ann Marie Fleming does an excellent job directing this film, weaving together various themes while striking a balance between a cultural exploration and a personal journey. Fleming employs poetry as an eloquent vehicle to navigate these vast terrains, making it informative and engaging without overwhelming the viewer. The viewer is also treated to Rosie's drawings and reflections that offer a beautiful visual and emotional journey through Iranian culture, highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting various cultural perspectives.

In its beautiful and heartwarming approach, Window Horses provides insight into Iranian culture, history, and its rich poetic tradition. This eye-opening journey allows viewers to appreciate the cultural diversity while also highlighting the shared human experiences across borders. More than anything, it emphasizes the significance of words, poetry, and art and how they play a crucial role in bridging gaps, creating understanding, and building a sense of connectedness in the world.

To conclude, Window Horses is a film that enlightens as it entertains, taking the viewers on a delightful journey across the globe, immersing them in the world of poetry, and leaving them pondering about identity, heritage, and the universality of human emotions. With its compelling storyline and exceptional voice cast, it is definitely an animated film that both young and adult audiences can connect and relate to.