6 June 2010

Milo's Journey


Milo is a little boy who has been in hospital ever since the fire that killed his parents.  Alone in his hospital room one evening he gazes at the moon - and perhaps he makes a wish. A benign and magical creature appears in front of him and takes Milo on a journey that marks his road to recovery.  With the help of the creature, a space ship and a helmet made from a cardboard box and a coat hanger he rediscovers the wonders of existence and finds an inner peace.

This short animated film by Adan Garcia a graduate of The Art Institute of California - San Francisco, majoring in Media Arts and Animation.  During his time there he gained extensive knowledge of art and the industry.  This really shows in Milo's Journey - it is a really special film which is all the more wonderful because of its simplicity. Not a word is spoken throughout the film but it speaks volumes.  Pythagoras said Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in a few.  Or none as the case is here.

If I was pressed to cite any influence here I would probably say early Spielberg in terms of the story telling and the characters.  Yet for some reason I cannot put my finger on there is something here that is reminiscent of  Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth.  Perhaps it is the child connecting with a fantasy world, I am not sure. Certainly they are very different film experiences and I am certainly not saying by any means that this piece is derivative.  It works beautifully on its own and is quite original.

You can see more of Adan's wonderful work at his space over at DeviantArt.  His byline there is also simple and straight to the point - I love to draw, I love to animate, I love being an artist!!! (his exclamations, not mine).  Well, we would wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments, Adan, and wish you a long, rewarding and wonderful career in your chosen field!  Thank you for creating Milo's Journey - there was not a dry eye in the house here at Kuriositas Towers.