Review: The minimalist, nearly silent animated film ‘Away’ points to a talent to watch

For several years, the young Latvian animator Gints Zilbalodis has garnered favorable attention at festivals for his short films. “Away,� his first feature, is broken into chapters (“Forbidden Oasis,� “Dream Well�) that feel like linked individual shorts.

An unnamed boy finds himself stranded in a bleak desert after surviving a plane crash. Pursued by a menacing giant, he embarks on a motorcycle journey that takes him through forests, past ruins, across vast lakes and over mountain passes. Along the way he makes a single friend: A yellow fledgling, whom he nurtures until it learns to fly.

“Away� unfolds at a deliberate, meditative pace that matches its minimal, arid graphics. The characters and landscapes have almost no details. The boy’s body consists of a few solid-colored shapes; the bird is plain yellow, with nothing to suggest the texture of its feathers. The boy never speaks a word; the soundtrack consists of a brooding score and few sound effects.

Zilbalodis’ storytelling is intriguing but oblique. The boy encounters various animals and undergoes a series of trials before reaching his safe destination. But the significance of his journey is left for the audience to determine.

“Away� is the polar opposite of the brightly colored musical fantasies of the Hollywood animation studios. Viewers weary of the detailed look and upbeat tone of many big-budget American films may enjoy contemplating Zilbalodis’ highly personal, austere vision. He’s already at work on his next film and is clearly a talent to watch.