Watch The Coastline

The Coastline is a 1983 thriller film directed by Paul Driessen and produced by the National Film Board of Canada. It is a unique movie as it is entirely animated, featuring no real characters or actors. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival and went on to win several awards. The Coastline opens with beautiful artwork of a seaside town, complete with a lighthouse, cliffs, and crashing waves. The film's score is eerie, accompanied by the sound of seagulls and breaking waves. We are introduced to the town's inhabitants, who are going about their daily lives, but something feels ominous. The artwork goes from beautiful to claustrophobic, and the feeling of dread builds.

We follow a young girl, who is walking alone on the cliffs. She is seen staring out to sea as if waiting for something. The camera zooms in on a key that is dangling from her neck. It's clear that this key is important, but we don't know why.

The narrative then shifts to a group of fishermen who are heading out to sea. They are good-natured and appear oblivious to the impending danger. The sound of the waves transitions to an eerie silence that amplifies their vulnerability.

As they cast their nets, they discover a corpse in the water. The dead man's eyes are open and staring up at them. Suddenly, the idyllic town that they live in doesn't feel so safe.

The narrative carries on, and more and more dead bodies are discovered. It becomes apparent that the mysterious deaths are a cover-up by the town's officials, who don't want to hurt the tourist trade. The inhabitants of the town start to panic as they realize that they are under threat from something sinister.

The young girl with the key plays a significant role in the story. We see her exploring, finding clues, and trying to warn the town's inhabitants. Her character is enigmatic, and we are drawn to her despite knowing little about her past or motivations.

The artwork in The Coastline is magnificent and transports the viewer to the fictional town. The animation is haunting and brilliant, drawing you into the narrative despite the absence of real actors. The score is perfect, eerie when it needs to be and beautiful when the mood changes.

What makes The Coastline so unique is that the narrative unfolds through the artwork, rather than the script. There is minimal dialogue, and the visuals do the talking. It's a masterclass in storytelling through artwork and shows just how powerful the medium can be. The Coastline is a blend of horror, mystery, and suspense, and it's worth watching for any fan of the genre.

Overall, The Coastline is a must-see for those who love animated films and thrillers. The narrative is engaging, and the artwork is breathtaking. It's a movie that will leave you wanting more and keep you thinking about it long after the credits have rolled.