A story about bravery and doing whatever it takes to conquer the impossible, "Le Gouffre" is a great short lm that is sure to get your blood pumping.
Released in 2014, "Le Gouffre" is the first animated short produced by Lightning Boy Studio, an up and coming Canadian creative team. Translated "The Gulf," this short is about two travelers and their determination to build a bridge over an extremely wide canyon. The story sounds simple, and it is, but its simplicity counters the depth of the cinematography, just as the travelers' simple goal is countered with the vastness of their wide barrier.
In order to create a simple plot, there is no dialogue in the short, as it relies heavily on music and action to push the plot. This is very effective, as the audience is left to ponder what the characters' motives exactly are for building this bridge. The music is epic instrumental that rises and falls with each beautifully animated scene, creating suspense when needed. The plot is driven solely by what the characters do in their situation, not how they verbally interact.
The music and lack of dialogue both point the audience toward its theme. Without giving away the ending, this lm focuses on the power of friendship and overcoming obstacles. There is not much distracting the audience from really thinking about these ideas, and that seems to be exactly what the Lightning Boys wanted. At the end of the lm, the theme is meant to be ambiguous, which is aimed to speak to each individual person in the audience. The ending is where the short shines most.
I am really excited to see what comes next for Lightning Boy Studio. They have definitely crossed a bridge in the right direction toward their dreams, and "Le Gouffre" proves that the future is bright for them. 10/10