The short film After the Rain contains a tale that, gently and imaginatively, explains where rain comes from.
It has no dialogue, prompting viewers’ ears to focus instead on the sounds made by characters (the dog’s barking, the sheep’s baaing and the sound of the shepherd’s stick or of his hand stroking a fleece) and also those made by nature (the wind blowing, or raindrops falling on wild raspberries).
The mountain scenery is rendered in a range of colours from green (for the fields of high grass) to sky blue, when the weather is fine, and slate grey, when rain is on the way. It is a palette that conveys the lavishness and wildness of nature.
Digital animation is used along with shots that are quite wide, highlighting both the prevailing weather and the passage of time while also transmitting sensations. Viewers practically get the impression they can feel the fluffiness of a sheep’s fleece when the shepherd is shearing it.
The shepherd is undoubtedly the most engaging character. A mysterious figure, he seems to bestride the mountain with his trident-stick like some kind of rural, pagan weather god. While this short film looks like a fairytale, it is actually an aetiological story (a story that explains the cause of something), ie a fantastical story that lays out the why and what of a phenomenon, in this case clouds and rain. This film’s originality lies in the sequencing of very contrasting sounds and emotions –the whole thing is infused with a mischievous air that guides viewers smoothly from smiles to sadder emotions in the space of a few moments.
When the old shepherd can no longer do his job, he is replaced by a faithful friend. Although this substitution is performed with a degree of humour and even with touches of slapstick (notably the scene where the sheep are locked in the shepherd’s tiny house), it tactfully introduces, in the background, the issue of death.
If your kids have tendency to look at the sky and ask you where the rain and clouds comes from, show them After the Rain!
