A beautifully poignant and life-affirming fable, shared through the eyes of an optimistic dog as she looks back on the human companions she has loved throughout her life with happiness, heartbreak and everything between.
Marona feels vibrant and upbeat even in moments of melancholy – like diving into an artistic child’s sketchbook and watching the illustrations splash to life all around.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2021
Marona’s Fantastic Tale 2019
L’extraordinaire voyage de Marona
A black-and-white pup, with a heart-shaped nose and a number of different names, lies mortally injured after a tragic car collision, as her dog-life flashes before her eyes. Told entirely from a puppy-perspective, we follow the youngest of a litter of nine as she is adopted, moving through temporary homes, garbage cans, alleyways and a series of eccentric owners – an acrobat, construction worker and finally a kid to call her very own.
A little dog’s life isn't always easy, and through it all Marona endearingly and delicately explores themes of humanity, existence and relationships, sharing wise canine insights such as “Everyone has the right to love and a bone” along the way. Funny and painful, surprising and tender, Marona’s circular journey encourages us to look at ourselves as the caregivers of others, then asks if we are offering the very best of ourselves, or if we could perhaps try a little harder, pay greater attention and move through our life thinking more of others.
Anca Damian, directing a screenplay written by her son Anghel Damian, has shaped an exquisitely imaginative animated world like no other, with an incredibly rich visual language and dazzlingly expressionistic sweeping designs, produced in part by acclaimed artist Brecht Evens and supported by Pablo Pico's perfectly playful score.
Marona’s heartwarming and bittersweet tale is a poetic and deeply affecting philosophical exploration of love, loyalty and the emotional impact of loss. It’s a profound lesson in empathy anchored in compassion, reminding us, no matter our age, that happiness is a small thing. — Nic Marshall
Recommended for ages 12+