We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films — some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world — and how they hold up for an American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

Boy and the World (2013):
Alê Abreu, director

What’s it about?

The film follows young Cuca (unnamed in the movie), who lives with his parents in a fairly idyllic rural environment. His days are filled with love, play, and music. However, his world is soon torn apart when his dad leaves to find work.

Cuca, left with little more than the memory his dad’s flute music (captured in a small container), is distraught and soon leaves home to find his father and reunite his family. His journey more or less follows the chain of production for clothing, involving farmers and migrant workers.

He makes stops at cotton fields, a factory that spins the cotton into fabric, a factory worker’s home, a distant city where the fabric is turned into clothing, and back to the original city where the clothes are sold. Every step of the way, Cuca witnesses injustice and how the “haves” and “have nots” are being driven further apart.

He sees the poor digging at the scraps left behind, workers suffering at the hands of their “masters,” entire communities preparing for a rebellion, the raping and pillaging of our planet, and the eventual destruction of everything deemed “simple” by those with power.

But through it all is music. And hope. And love.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

Boy and the World is a Brazilian film from a Brazilian director, and even though elements of the story seem to be set in a fantasy world, much of the film is steeped in an undeniably Brazilian context. You won’t see much of the comfortable U.S. bubble here – the story centers on the experiences of migrant and low-wage workers in South America – so young viewers might grapple for something familiar to latch on to.

The film is also mostly wordless; it’s essentially a “silent” film. There are a few scenes with dialogue, which is actually Portuguese spoken backwards, and the precise words aren’t intended to be understood exactly. (There’s no translation in the subtitles; in fact, there are no subtitles.)

Will my kids like it? Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

Nothing objectionable, and yes, I think most kids will enjoy Boy and the World. Even though the setting and characters’ experiences might feel intensely foreign to many kids, the lack of dialogue and overwhelmingly imaginative animation go a long way to filling in any gaps in understanding that might exist.

The story is fairly easy to follow if you’re paying attention, and although some kids might not piece together the subtle “reveal” that happens toward the end, it doesn’t really matter. The journey is what’s important, and the social and environmental messages come through loud and clear.

Will I like it?

Very likely. It’s stunningly animated and very unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The film was critically acclaimed when it first came out, and it took home a boatload of nominations and awards. In 2015, it was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards (where it lost to Inside Out, which, ok, fair).

How can I see it?

GKIDS and Universal released a Blu-ray edition of the film that has a making of featurette, the trailer, and a music video. The film is also available digitally from most retailers and is currently on Netflix.

Final word?

It’s unlike almost anything else you’ve seen, and that alone makes it worth watching. Thankfully, it’s also brilliant… and remains depressingly relevant.