IFFR 2020 - Un Animal Amarelo / A Yellow Animal
iffrFelipe Bragança’s Um Animal Amarelo is a profound and peculiar tragicomedy about race, identity, and relationships. The plot follows white Brazilian filmmaker Fernando; not only is he bankrupt and struggling to get his film on its feet but an ancient spirit that brings him bad omens follows him wherever he goes. When Fernando reaches his breaking point, he takes a journey through his past by venturing to Mozambique.
Bragança takes a very unique approach with this film by setting a specific tone for the whole movie from the get-go. Instead of being a somber look into a pitiful man’s life, Bragança’s film is unconventional, humorous, and vibrant. He combines stop-motion with live-action throughout the movie, and although its uses are quite restrained, it looks immaculate. The dialogue is also notably off-kilter and specific to the tone of the film.
Narration is also utilised, but instead of being used as a crutch for easy exposition, it adds to the atmosphere Bragança creates. The narration is in second person, helping the movie feel like an ancient fable that has been passed on through generations. The film’s structure further helps to evoke that feeling by being split up into different chapters of the lead character’s journey.
Um Animal Amarelo’s cast all work fantastically to bring these characters to life. Higor Campagnaro and Isabél Zuaa, in particular, clearly understand the nature of the characters and the tone of this film. Throughout incredibly odd situations in the film, they make their characters feel very real and natural.
The cinematography works well in bringing everything together. Aside from a few standout moments, the camerawork gets the job done and keeps the film engaging. The atmosphere is mostly derived from the characters shown on screen rather than the way the camera is positioned most of the time.
Um Animal Amarelo will leave the audience with questions whirling in their heads about the messages Bragança is getting across. It’s a film that will burrow itself in the viewer’s minds and refuse to leave. Every time the titular spirit is on screen, time seems to freeze and all attention goes toward it. From its symbolic imagery to its provocative storytelling, Um Animal Amarelo is a film that is difficult to forget.
