Adapted from a picture book of the same name, the short film Go Away, Alfred! shines with its simplicity and power. Stripped of dialogue, drawn in a minimalist yet extremely careful style, every detail is powerfully evocative. All it takes is a piece of barbed wire being cut and the muffled sounds of a conflict we never see to evoke the full drama of war and exile, without a single shocking image. The beauty of this film lies in its ability to tackle such a serious subject with such gentleness and subtlety. Poor Alfred's journey is reminiscent of many stories of migration, where rejection rather than welcome awaits. Yet there is nothing desperate about this film, which is full of hope and generosity and ultimately celebrates sharing and friendship!
With its pencil-drawn characters and settings, touches of pastel color, and ivory-white background that lets us feel the grain of the paper, we are truly immersed in an animated book! The precise frames scroll from bottom to top, left to right, fixing themselves in place and gently accompanying the characters' movements. Yann Volsy's delicate music and subtle sound effects also add undeniable charm to the whole, making us feel a whole range of emotions with the characters! Despite its tragic background, this film is a heartwarming delight!
