We already know that animation is an excellent medium to arouse the interest of a diverse audience. But when an animation has an extremely strong message, addressed to children and adults alike, then we are sure that we are in front of a special project. This is also the case of ‘LUCHA and the EKEKO’, which offers us not only a story with all the ingredients of a great adventure, but also a tender perspective on a delicate social issue. We are not sure if Roger Edwards’ intention is to target a young audience only. Obviously, the way he builds the story, the spectacularism of the adventures the characters go through, but also the slightly naive style and the “clean” colour palette seem to convince us of this. But at the same time, his animation addresses a difficult subject, somewhat indigestible for viewers who are far too young: the status of migrant children who are separated from their parents. The political stake of the project triggers, in fact, a social stake, but without reaching an aggressive or too militant tonality. From this point of view, this animation has, rather, the role of popularizing through a cinematic language accessible to anyone a situation that is part of the daily reality of many nations.
When Marisol finds an Ekeko (a lucky doll) given to her adoptive mother, Elena, by a little girl she met, she will find out the truth not only behind the friendship between the two but also the truth that determined Elena to adopt her.
But the relationship between mother and daughter is only the starting point in this brief survey of society and its problems, without reaching the cynicism of a social critique. Roger Edwards gives no answers and doesn’t try to find culprits, moving away from the trap of a moralizing speech. At the same time, he has the intuition to avoid melodrama when approaching sensitive topics such as migration, adoption, or the struggle of the individual with society. His main purpose is to spread a delicate and recurring scenario, to raise awareness among children and adults, not to incite revolt. That is why he chooses animation as the only tool capable of such an impact. We congratulate the director’s initiative, being convinced that ‘LUCHA and the EKEKO’ will succeed in making the young and mature viewers see the world in a deeper way.
Share:
