Shadows on the Wall | Arthouse Films

Shadows off the beaten path
Indies, foreign, docs and shorts...

On this page: SOUL SHIFT

< < F O R E I G N

See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 28.Jun.26

Soul Shift
Review by Rich Cline | 3.5/5

dir-scr Christian Franz Schmidt
prd Thomas Schneider-Trumpp, Esther Trumpp, Johann Frank, Wolfgang Heidrich
voices Tom Zahner, Mike McAlpine, Andrea Dewell, Michael McCown, Leanne Maksin, Mark Rossmann, Moritz Corell, Phil Lewis, Tony Clark
release Ger 13.Mar.26
26/Germany 1h44

Is it streaming?

A feature compiled from an animated German TV series, this raucously colourful sci-fi romp is packed with witty details that will delight genre fans, especially those who love bright-hued line-art nuttiness. From the hilarious mix of colour-coded characters to the wacky scatological touches, this is a sparky, very silly comedy that isn't afraid to get thematically dark. Indeed, writer-director Christian Franz Schmidt packs a lot under the goofiness.

At the heart of the universe, the Almighty creates new planets, assigning each to an evolutionary managers. Respected manager Dew Blue is charged with populating Earth, working with his cat-like friend Sunny Yellow and a pink ball of energy he names Glitter, for obvious reasons. Dew Blue starts sending beings to incarnate on Earth as single-celled organisms, to get things going. But others are jealous of his success, and a secret scheme emerges to undermine his project, which is developing rather nicely. Amid this conflict, Sunny Yellow is shocked at what Dew Blue does next.

Even if the animation style is fairly simple, the design work is packed with details, including a continual stream of amusing throwaway gags. And the characters have sharp personalities too, pushing against each other as their strong wills clash on a range of levels. Even little Glitter emerges as a tough cookie who knows exactly what she wants. Surrounding characters are equally vivid, each with their own signature colour and a mix of ridiculous animal traits, often accompanied by a perky bum.

There are all kinds of existential ideas wafting around amid the absurdities, as the script plays with ideas about being a creator and a creature. Loyalties and rivalries emerge throughout the story, adding some texture to the way the plot unfolds. And there's a strong kick in the way power consolidates to leave the less privileged to a hapless fate. So while the main point here is to simply make the audience laugh at the flatly ridiculous situations and interactions, there are deeper provocations that leave us with something to think about.

themes, violence, violence 23.Jun.26 aff

< < F O R E I G N
See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL