• Friendship and romance
  • The meaning of life

Slipping Away

  • Gabriel Hénot Lefèvre
  • 2022
  • France

Synopsis :

An old man living in a hospice is looking out to sea. A seagull approaches, attracted by a little trail of breadcrumbs. Thus begins an unusual partnership that concludes in a most unexpected way ...

Benshi's review :

In a marvellous world made up of watercolours that bring out all the beauty and nuances in the sea and sky, Gabriel Hénot-Lefèvre relates the story of an unusual friendship between an old man and a seagull. It’s rare to find an animated short film aimed at young people where the main character is elderly and the story is not about the relationship between the old person and their children or grandchildren. Here the director shows with great tact and compassion the weary bodies and loneliness of old age. And then a seagull comes along and a sort of partnership is gradually formed with the main character, little by little adding texture and new purpose to the story. It all leads to a wonderful payoff that shows amazement is an emotion that can arrive at any time in life. The score by Olivier Militon contributes much to the quite melancholic sweetness of this moving film about the way time slips away ...

Suitable for :

The sweet atmosphere, images and partnership between the man and the bird make this film suitable for children aged 6 and over.

Top reasons to watch the film :

  1. The beauty of the watercolour animation
  2. A touching story about a friendship between a man and a bird
  3. A conclusion that is uplifting for everyone!
  • Keywords :

  • Animals
  • Sea
  • Loneliness
  • Solidarity