Wolfwalkers
Wolfwalkers
Wolfwalkers
The action takes place during the English conquest of Ireland (1650) in the city of Kilkenny and its
surroundings. Widower Bill Goodfellow recently moved here from England with his teenage daughter
Robin, whom he takes care of in every possible way and forbids to go outside the fortress wall. The city
is ruled by the Lord Protector, for whom Goodfellow serves as the main hunter. His task is to destroy the
wolf pack in the surrounding forests, but the wolves cannot be caught, although Goodfellow sets traps
every day. Meanwhile, there are rumors in the city that the leaders of the pack are not wolves, but
"werewolves", werewolves.
Disobeying her father, Robin, who also wants to participate in the hunt, goes to the forest, where she
encounters wolves and meets a red-haired girl Mab, who turns out to be a dreamer. Mab explains to
Robin that the dreamwolves look like humans, but turn into wolves during sleep. Mab also shows Robin
the secret lair of wolves, which is hidden from the eyes of people. Mab's mother sleeps in this den, but
she can't wake up because she was apparently caught somewhere in the guise of a wolf. Robin tries to
explain to her father that wolves should not be exterminated, but they should be allowed to leave the
forest, but her father does not believe her.
During the day, Robin is sent to work in the Lord Protector's castle for disobedience, where she washes
dishes and floors and does laundry. She hears a voice calling her from one of the rooms where there is a
large cage covered with a blanket. However, Robin is unable to approach the cage because it is
forbidden to enter the room. Meanwhile, due to the fact that Mab bit Robin in the hand at the first
meeting, she now becomes a dreamwolf herself and runs around the city at night, where she is almost
killed by the guards. Panic rises, and the Lord Protector promises to burn the entire forest. He calls the
people to the square, where they bring the cage: it turns out that Moll, Mab's mother, is trapped in the
cage in the form of a wolf. Mab runs out of the woods to save her mother, but she fails. The Lord
Protector orders Goodfellow to kill the she-wolf, but Robin gets in his way and eventually frees Moll
from her shackles and rides her into the forest. Goodfellow and the Lord Protector and soldiers give
chase. Goodfellow wounds the wolf with an arrow; her spirit returns to the human body, but Moll is
seriously wounded and does not recover. Robin falls asleep and, turning into a wolf, goes to the lair with
the pack. There, Mab tries to use the Dreamwolves' ability to heal wounds to revive her mother, but she
fails. The soldiers are approaching the lair, burning the forest along the way.
Trying to protect Mab and the pack, Robin in the guise of a wolf attacks the soldiers and the Lord
protector, but he almost overpowers her. At this time, Goodfellow, who was bitten by a wolf-Mall in the
square, turns into a wolf himself and throws the Lord protector into the abyss. Robin becomes human
again and helps Mab revive the Mall.
The film ends with a scene in which Goodfellow, Moll, Mab and Robin ride in a wagon in search of a
better place to live, followed by a wolf pack.
Coming of age:
"WolfWalkers" is a 2020 animated film produced by Cartoon Saloon that explores the themes of coming
of age and finding one's place in the world. The film tells the story of Robyn, a young girl who moves
with her father to a new town in Ireland, where he has been tasked with hunting down a pack of wolves.
Through her adventures in the forest, Robyn discovers a hidden world of magic and learns to challenge
the restrictive beliefs and traditions of her community.
At the beginning of the film, Robyn is seen as a dutiful daughter, following her father's orders and
struggling to fit in with the other children in the town. As she begins to explore the forest and meet the
WolfWalkers, however, she becomes increasingly independent and self-reliant, forging her own path
and discovering her own strengths and abilities. As Robyn meets Mebh, a young WolfWalker, she
discovers a world that is different from anything she has ever known. Mebh teaches her about the magic
of the forest and the importance of standing up for what one believes in. As Robyn becomes more
connected to this world, she begins to question her father's mission and seeks to find her own place in
the world. Throughout the film, Robyn is seen challenging the traditional gender roles and societal
expectations that have been placed on her. As she begins to see the world through a new lens, she
realizes that there is more to life than the strict rules and beliefs of her community.
Overall, "WolfWalkers" is a coming-of-age story that explores the themes of independence, finding one's
place in the world, and the importance of challenging societal norms. Through its beautiful animation
and compelling characters, the film encourages viewers to embrace their own unique paths and to stand
up for what they believe in.
Cartoon Saloon is an Irish animation studio that has gained international acclaim for its beautiful and
visually striking animated films. The studio is known for its use of traditional animation techniques and
its emphasis on creating films with strong visual storytelling and emotional depth. Here are some of the
methods that Cartoon Saloon uses in their animation:
Hand-drawn animation: Cartoon Saloon uses traditional hand-drawn animation techniques, where each
frame of the animation is hand-drawn by an animator. This technique requires a lot of skill and patience,
but it allows for a level of detail and expressiveness that is difficult to achieve with other methods.
Watercolor backgrounds: Cartoon Saloon is known for its use of watercolor backgrounds in its films.
These backgrounds are created by painting on paper with watercolors, which gives the films a unique
and visually striking look.
Limited animation: Although Cartoon Saloon's films are hand-drawn, they often use limited animation
techniques to create a more stylized look. This means that instead of animating every movement and
detail, the animators will focus on key movements and poses to convey the character's emotions and
actions.
Strong character design: Cartoon Saloon's films are known for their distinctive and memorable character
designs. The studio's animators take great care to create characters that are visually interesting and that
convey their personalities through their design.
Emphasis on storytelling: Above all, Cartoon Saloon's films are known for their strong storytelling. The
studio's animators and writers work closely together to create films that have emotional depth and
resonate with audiences. The animation is always in service of the story, and never the other way
around.
Overall, Cartoon Saloon's animation is characterized by its beauty, expressiveness, and strong
storytelling. The studio's commitment to traditional animation techniques and its emphasis on creating
films with emotional depth have helped it to become one of the most respected animation studios in
the world.
Culture:
Cartoon Saloon is an Irish animation studio that is known for creating films that showcase the traditions
and culture of Ireland. The studio is based in Kilkenny, a city in the southeast of Ireland, and its films
often draw inspiration from Irish folklore, mythology, and history. The film is steeped in Irish folklore
and mythology, featuring characters such as the fairy queen Moll and references to the legend of Oisín
and Niamh. The film also portrays the influence of Christianity in Ireland during the time period, with the
town's mayor being a devout Catholic and Robyn's father being a Puritan. The film includes several
words and phrases in Irish Gaelic, such as "cara" (friend) and "craic" (fun).The film's score features
traditional Irish music, including the use of the tin whistle and the bodhrán drum. The film showcases
the beautiful landscapes of Ireland, including the lush forests, rolling hills, and majestic mountains,
which are all integral parts of Irish culture and heritage. Wolfwalkers feature a distinctive visual style
that draws on traditional Irish art and design, such as the intricate patterns and motifs found in Celtic
knotwork. This style helps to create a strong sense of place and heritage in the films.