My immediate reaction with "The Secret of Kells" is "what the heck is this thing and why is it here in place of 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs'?" That should come as no surprise since this movie had absolutely no release in this country or any advertising. It didn't even have much of a release in Ireland, the nation in which it is set and draws its inspiration from. There was a wide release in France and - of all places - Belgium. This isn't an anime either, so there's no fanbase in this country waiting for a movie of this type. Somehow, though, the Academy found it, and I can be very grateful to them for finding this precious stone hidden away in the sand.
"The Secret of Kells" is a movie that celebrates the artwork of the Dark Ages, a period often remembered only for its chaos and misery. Using much of the same art style as its inspiration, this film mixes together ancient Irish folklore and Western Christianity to tell, in simplified detail, the story of the rebirth of civilization in the Dark Ages though its childish characters and cartoony storyline. Most beautifully, its art style is completely unique, an homage to the very illuminated manuscripts it features. This is a movie that deserves recognition for its unique brilliance.
First of all, some historical background: "The Secret of Kells" details the creation of the Book of Kells, a Bible drawn up in Ireland in the ninth century. In that time, basically the only vestiges of Classical or Christian high culture were the monasteries that dotted the landscape of Europe, immovable fortresses of culture against the tide of barbarism and ignorance. The Book of Kells is the most lavishly decorated manuscript known to have been made in the Dark Ages, full of dazzling abstract effects. As far as we know, this Book was the single most laboriously written manuscript, with far more detail than any work before or since. Looking at any page of the Book can be a massively confusing experience, as you're drawn to try to decipher all the thousands of minute patterns. Some patterns are so small they can only be properly seen with a magnifying glass, something not invented by the time this monks in Ireland drew the Book of Kells. Naturally as per the early Christian tradition of anti-classical art styles, the work has no perspective, and the human figures are very flat. That's not to say that the artists had little skill in depicting the human form, but rather that the artists harmoniously kept the figures flat so as to exist within the same dimension as the text and designs. The Book of Kells is easily one of the greatest works of art created by a human hand, all in the hope of glorifying their creator.
I should note that I only knew about half of this before seeing "The Secret of Kells" - after seeing it I had to indulge myself in a lot of research into the subjects involved. There's still more to be found out here about ancient Ireland. I gotta say, any movie that reveals a fascinating new field I never really paid attention to before is one that gets extra points*.
The movie stars Brendan, a young novice monk living the Monastery of Kells. He the nephew of the prior, Caellach, and has a great talent as an illuminator. Unfortunately for Kells, a horde of Northmen are coming down to destroy them in search of gold. Caellach has gone a little bit insane trying to build a massive wall around his monastery so as to keep the Northmen out - "the gate will hold!" A refugee monk, named Aiden escapes from the destroyed Monastary of Iona with its great treasure: an unfinished book that will be the marvel of the entire world. Brendan, against his uncle's wishes, becomes friendly with Aiden and his adorable cat, Pangur Ban. While searching the forest for berries that can be used for ink, Brendan discovers Aisling (pronounced "Ashley"), the last of the Fair Folk, legendary mischievous fairies that roamed Ireland before St. Patrick. Aisling helps Brendan so the he may "turn darkness into light". Eventually he has to defeat Crum Cruach, a spirit of darkness that destroyed Aisling's people, and escape the Northman all to complete the great Book of Kells.
The art style of "The Secret of Kells" is one that directly opposes the current trend in film animation these days to be heavily 3D and use tons of realism. Computer 3D animation by its very nature forces natural perspective and removes most opportunities to twist the characters or flatten them, thus limiting the styles that Pixar or DreamWorks films can take on. "The Secret of Kells" boldly battles against all perspective, using a combination of Genndy Tartakovsky-esque ("Powerpuff Girls", "Dexter's Laboratory", "Samurai Jack") cartoon characters of various geometric shapes, along with the flatness of illuminated manuscripts. Gardens on the landscape slope vertically down below characters, at bird's-eye-view the trees flatten in all directions like pre-Medieval cartography, and the character's shapes remind me of stained glass figures, especially Brendan. Where the film really dazzles the eye is not only in its magical moving depiction of the Book of Kells - if that scene weren't an art student's orgasm then this entire film would have failed - but also in the incredible scene where Brendan and Aisling climb a ridiculously large tree. The art style is also used as a like of fourth wall joke when Brendan fights Crum and is able to defeat him by drawing with chalk. If you have no reason to see this movie, the artwork is enough to convince you. No other movie looks like this, and that's always adds points to my final score.
There are a few odd historical issues with the main story, I do admit. "The Secret of Kells", despite clearly being a film about an extremely Christian topic never actually says the "Christ" word. It actually seems to underplay its Christian elements in order to build up its Celtic pagan ones. Why can't Christianity and Paganism co-exist? They certainly did for thousands of years all across the world, they aren't mutually exclusive like you might think. Then for some odd reason Kells is filled with a nearly complete racial rainbow with African, European, and even an East Asian monk living in its walls. I get that a African monk might have traveled to Ireland, North Africa had only recently been taken by Islam, but how the heck did an East Asian get there? Nestorian Christians did exist in China at this time (but they probably would want little to do with a Catholic monastery), and it certainly was not impossible for a Chinese traveler to reach Ireland despite the massive dangers and incredibly long journey. The African monk is presented in a seemingly racist characterization, but that's only thanks to my modern American over-sensitivities, I think anything was actually meant by it.
Something might have been meant by the fact that the Northmen (read: Norwegians) are depicted as ravaging orcs in armor. Everywhere they go crows fly around them looking for corpses. These guys, who actually weren't very nice people but are still major pieces of modern European culture, are shown to be completely awful monsters who set fire to things and only seem to know one word "gold". I think this is done of emotional license, but its a little strange. Even the worst barbarians are rarely turned into flat-out Uruk-hai in modern movies. And these guys wind up murdering half the cast - in a church, an incredibly dark moment for what is a kid's movie.
However those issues are offset by the unlimited magic** of this movie. To put it better than words, here's a clip of Aisling's song. That right there is "Coraline" levels of beauty.
"The Secret of Kells" may not actually be a better movie than "Coraline" but I'd rather not actually compare the two. They're both perfect films in their own ways. From what I know this is the only movie to so encapsulate the magical moment of the creation of art. If there is a God, he or she must exist within in the stunning pages of the Book that Brendan and his fellow monks created. Light truly was made out of the darkness here.
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* The points however, are counted according to Calvinball rules. As of now, the score is oogie to boogie. "The Secret of Kells" is still winning though.
** I'm aware I use the word "magic" a lot to describe films. It really it that single great quality that a movie needs, in my opinion, to be truly great. If your film isn't properly magical then its just normal, and normal is pretty dull. The second important quality is the ability to make me laugh. If I'm not laughing at your film, I'm not enjoying it.
I'll admit it. I ruined Coraline for myself by reading the book first. Something which should never be done regardless of which is better.
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks amazing. I'm definiatly checking this one out.
ReplyDeletejust one thing to say.... my only issue here is the portrayal of vikings. yes, i get that its how the little kids fleeing a monastery that is being assaulted by them would see it, but i have read quite a bit of viking mythology and such, and i think that this movie is in those areas quite mistaken. yes, viking raiders attacked monastarys all over england, but they weren't actually barbarians. their culture was actually about the same level as that of other dark age civillaztions. However, because they weren't Christian,. didn't give a damn about Christian religion, and just saw monastaryys as places were "stupid southerners" stored large amounts of money, the history books which were all written by religious Christian monks portray the mas such. but for this depiction to carry into a modern day movie, in this society? it is my one issue with this movie. good day sir.
ReplyDeleteI find the church scene to reveal real elements into a kids movie.
ReplyDeletePossibly a Nestorian Christian would not want to enter a Catholic monastery, but was Kells really Catholic or was it Cele De? There could have been a Chinese there, but that is probably not what the movie makers meant to say. They may have been representing the various influences in the artwork and influences of the Book of Kells.
ReplyDeleteReally excellent review! Thanks for your insights.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely read, thanks for writing and sharing. I would like to point out one error you made though. Aisling is not pronounced like Ashley. It's a Irish name pronounced Ashling. It is also a type of old Irish poem about a young man who falls asleep and sees a vision of a young woman who represents Ireland. Which is why the name means a dream or vision.
ReplyDeleteSource: it's my name :-)
This is a lovely read, thanks for writing and sharing. I would like to point out one error you made though. Aisling is not pronounced like Ashley. It's a Irish name pronounced Ashling. It is also a type of old Irish poem about a young man who falls asleep and sees a vision of a young woman who represents Ireland. Which is why the name means a dream or vision.
ReplyDeleteSource: it's my name :-)