Filmmaker Colin Hickey’s artfully crafted, minimalist indie feature Perennial Light is a mesmerizing viewing experience. From the start, it’s easy to get swept up in the film’s soothing aesthetic and experimental nature that Hickey portrays through poignant animation, an emotive score, and moving performances. This silent lyrical film is shot in black and white with a heavy emphasis on craft, much like Victor Kossakovsky’s Gunda or Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist. Running 1h 22m, Perennial Light is masterful artistry on display.

We Don’t Remember Days, We Remember Moments

There are no truer words than those expressed at the beginning of the film, which sets the scene for what’s to follow. The opening montage shows hand-drawn animation set against the film’s rich black and white palette. After juxtaposing the animation with moments from the natural world, we are suddenly inserted into coastal Ireland, where we witness a young boy’s close relationship with his best friend. Her sudden death devastates him and plunges him into overwhelming grief. Making sense of these big emotions at such a young age is difficult, and so the boy retreats into isolation.

As he grows older, the memory of her continues to be an important part of his life, and the result is somewhat detrimental to his personal growth. The boy continues to grapple with existential questions and struggles to form meaningful relationships. Eventually, he marries and becomes a father. His heartache lessens somewhat during middle age, but this early childhood trauma continues to affect his daily life. Struggling to be fully present, his wife is eventually able to gently pull him out of his self-protective shell. Through her love and unwavering support, he begins to confront the pain he has always avoided.

A New Perspective on Grief

Perennial Light interprets a young boy’s grief through the interweaving drawings, which reflect visual manifestations of his daydreams and thoughts. This creative decision to move between the stunning cinematography and animation is a poignant choice. The heart of the film lies in the performances, which carry a palpable emotional heaviness. This is accompanied by a beautiful, long-running score that incorporates symphonic orchestral moments, field recordings, and more.

Takeaway

If you’re looking for a quiet, meditative, and thought-provoking film, Perennial Light is for you. Director Colin Hickey successfully crafts a powerful yet incredibly intimate portrait of grief and healing.