Annecy Review: Julián is my favorite animated mermaid this side of Ariel
Julián , the latest fantastic animated outing from Cartoon Saloon (of The Secret of Kells and Wolfwalkers fame), is a perfect movie for this time of year. It captures the sweltering heat of a summer's day in New York. It makes you want to go to the pool or the beach, and to grab a cold treat along the way. And with its themes of navigating identity and gender expectations, it's also a great Pride Month watch. Who could ask for anything more? Not me, honestly. Julián was on my most anticipated list I put up late last year, and it was the movie I was most excited to see pop up at Annecy, where it just made its world premiere. Director Louise Bagnall and screenwriter Juliany Taveras, working from Jessica Love's book Julián is a Mermaid , have crafted a movie that is so bountiful. It's bursting with color, every frame gorgeous and vibrant and pulsing with the life of the barrio where Abuela lives. The music is upbeat and infectious; I was bopping in my seat. And the story ...
