'Lucy Lost,' a Remarkable Hand-Drawn Anti-War Animation Film

Spanning five month of creation with 1,800 hand-drawn storyboards and no use of artificial intelligence, "Lucy Lost," a French animation feature, has been selected for the Animation Competition of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival.

The film held its world premiere at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May. Helmed by seasoned storyboard artist Olivier Clert in his first independently directed animation feature, it brings the director to China for the first time.

Adapted from "Listen to the Moon" by Michael Morpurgo, the lauded British children's literature poet famous for "War Horse," the original novel is set in 1915 during World War I and tells the story of a mute German orphan who suffers discrimination on a remote British island.

Clert boldly reworked the narrative perspective, endowing Lucy with complete lines and a rich inner world and placing her at the heart of the story. He said he opted to stand with Lucy instead of watching her from a distance. This adaptation never strays from the core of the original book but deepens the characters' layers, and the original author fully approved of the finished film after watching it.

Clert insisted on full hand-drawn production throughout. In his view, hand drawing is the most instinctive and straightforward way to tell stories. Its soft, poetic brushwork does not shy away from wartime pain yet tones down gruesome visuals, depicting trauma recovery through the young girl's fantasies.

The creation process was filled with hardships: long periods of lonely sketching, technical obstacles in bringing storyboards to screen, and tricky coordination of schedules, funds, and creative teams. He advised young animators to draw strength from difficulties to bring their original visions to life.

While based on World War I, the film transcends this specific historical backdrop to mirror wars of all kinds. The project kicked off in 2019 when the world remained relatively peaceful. As global unrest escalated over the years, Clert grew more determined to deliver his message through a child's lens: "There are no absolute good or evil sides in war; ordinary people on both ends bear immense suffering, yet kindness always lives on in humanity."

An avid fan of animations worldwide, Clert spoke highly of the Chinese animation film "Deep Sea." He watched the film in French cinemas during its local release, marveling at its boundless imagination that makes audiences feel immersed in a dream. He expressed a strong desire for future cooperation with Chinese animators.

Asked whether he hoped to win a Golden Goblet Award, Clert remained calm and modest. His original intention of making the film was simply to craft a good story. He never expected that his work could reach audiences on the other side of the planet, and this encounter alone has left him content. Still, he would regard an award as a pleasant surprise if he won.

"Lucy Lost" is set to hit French screens this October, and talks are underway for a future theatrical release in China, giving domestic viewers a chance to witness this gentle, healing anti-war fable on the big screen.

If you are interested in this animation, here's a chance to watch it:

Date: June 19, 8:40pm

Venue: SFC Shanghai Cinema (Dingxiang Road LUXE Branch)

Address: 3/F, 858 Dingxiang Road, Pudong New Area

浦东新区丁香路858号丁香国际商业中心3层

Date: June 21, 6:30pm

Venue: SFC Animation Cinema (Metro City Branch)

Address: 5/F, 1111 Zhaojiabang Road, Xuhui District

徐汇区肇嘉浜路1111号美罗城5层