‘How Do I Get My Kids to Want to See This?’

by

Despite Flow receiving nominations for two Oscars in the International Feature and Animated Film categories, director-actor Benny Safdie feels that the film hasn’t garnered enough recognition. After watching the Latvian-produced movie about animals collaborating to overcome a natural disaster, he is adamant that everyone should have the opportunity to witness it personally.

Safdie’s admiration for the movie “Flow” isn’t rooted in any particular technical prowess or groundbreaking ideas from director Gints Zilbalodis; rather, he considers it one of his all-time favorites due to its simple narrative and stunning visuals. However, when presenting Zilbalodis with his New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film, Safdie expressed that the true pleasure of watching “Flow” was experiencing it alongside his sons, Cosmo (age 9) and Murray (age 5), who were equally captivated by the film.

Recently, Vulture’s Dan Reilly had a conversation with director Josh Safdie. He discusses why ‘Flow’ stands out, his desire for his children to discover it at their own pace, efforts to shield them from overly mature films as he once was, and the profound father-son connections that masterpieces can foster.

When I watched the preview for Flow, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, this looks amazing!” Then, my mind immediately wandered to finding a way to get my children interested in watching it with me.

Despite being primarily aimed at children, I didn’t wish for it to be perceived as a film I was eager to watch or considered artistic. Kids often have a certain bias towards movies their parents prefer, like how I felt about my dad’s choices when I was younger – “Oh no, this is one of his movies. This is what he wants. I’m being forced to see something dull.” I didn’t want the same reaction for Flow. Instead, I wanted it to be a film they genuinely wanted to watch.

As a cinephile, I led my companions to catch a glimpse of the movie’s trailer, and boy, were they hooked! Their eyes sparkled with anticipation, questioning when it would hit the screens. We had watched it back in November, but for them, it was their first time at the Angelika. Downstairs, the subway rumbled past, and the screen seemed small from a distance – yet, it felt monumental. Just like little Paddington exploring new places, they embraced the experience with enthusiasm. Sharing an emotionally resonant film with my children and discovering we share the same feelings? Nothing beats that sense of connection and shared joy.

Discussing with my spouse which films would be suitable for our sons. Occasionally, it’s like this: “I feel more comfortable in the sea, so I don’t want them developing a fear of it. Let’s skip ‘Jaws’.” I try to keep some things in mind, to tone myself down a bit; I watched ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ when I was around 7 or 8 – perhaps older, but certainly too young. Another one I saw prematurely was ‘The Shining’. That gave me quite the scare. They need to be significantly older to watch my movies. They may ask why and I’ll explain, “These films deal with topics that you don’t need to consider right now.

As a parent, you naturally wish to share the experiences and values from your childhood with your kids, hoping they’ll feel the same way. However, if this doesn’t happen, it can be disappointing. You might find yourself thinking, “Perhaps next year will be different.” Balancing what to expose them to can be challenging – if it’s too safe, it loses its charm. A touch of challenge or uniqueness is needed to keep things interesting. I don’t intend to dictate their tastes, but I do believe that exposing them to diverse perspectives can enrich their understanding and growth.

Using “Flow,” I aimed to subtly introduce deeper themes without overwhelming the audience. The environmental theme is present, but for younger viewers, it might be challenging to grasp fully. As they grow older and receive proper science education, they can better understand these concepts. However, I sometimes forget how intense the news can be, with distressing content appearing as early as 7:30 PM. It’s almost comical to think about being apprehensive about showing a movie!

It’s clear that the message of unity and overcoming differences resonated with the boys, as evidenced by their behavior after the movie. An interesting observation I’ve made is that they won’t explicitly tell you this when asked about it. Instead, you might wonder, “Did they enjoy the movie?” However, there was a sense that something deeper had occurred. Their demeanor changed, suggesting they were seeing things in a new light. There wasn’t a hint of sadness as we left the theater. When I asked them what happened at the end because I was unsure about the bird lifting up, they responded matter-of-factly, “He didn’t float up, he stayed.” In that moment, I realized they were right, and the bird indeed remained grounded. This understanding comes from recognizing that everyone is working together, regardless of their differences. Such a message is deeply ingrained in the movie, making it successful only if it conveys this unity. You care about the characters, you want them to succeed, and you’re invested in how they will achieve their goals. Truly, you care.

The exceptional aspect of Flow lay in how effortlessly my sons embraced it. They were captivated throughout, and I was thrilled to find such an immersive experience for them. It tells a compelling story, boasting well-crafted characters, and its visuals are nothing short of breathtaking – truly beautiful and distinct. It’s left quite an impression on me as well. Sharing this experience with my children, reflecting upon the on-screen adventures in ways that enrich our lives beyond the screen, is a profound experience. In essence, it was an extraordinary journey, one we enjoyed, and I recommend everyone to watch this movie.

Read More

2025-03-02 18:54