Song of the Sea tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse – the last Seal-child – who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.

Directed by Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells), Song of the Sea features the voices of Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. (Fun fact: Gleeson, Flanagan, and Shortt were all in Cinema Detroit favorite The Guard.) Music is by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kíla, both of whom previously collaborated on The Secret of Kells.

Song grew from ideas Moore had during the making of Kells and was developed with many of the same artistic team members, so it is in many ways a spiritual follow-up, though not a sequel. The style is very similar — handmade-looking 2D animation — as is the thematic basis, Irish folklore and legends, but the director wanted to make a more personal film based on his memories of being a child in Ireland in the 1980s.

Says Moore, “I really worked hard this time to make a film that would appeal to as broad an audience as possible. I’m pretty sure that adults and teenagers will enjoy the visuals and the music and story, but I wanted make a film like The Jungle Book or My Neighbor Totoro that younger audiences could enjoy and then come back to again and again as they grew up.”

One of the most blissfully beautiful animated films ever made…The product of a miraculously unique brand of animated alchemy, Tomm Moore’s follow-up to the Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells is an even more stunning work of art, resembling rustic watercolor paintings enhanced with movement, there is an artisanal quality to every frame. Song of the Sea should remind everyone why animation, when done as flawlessly as it is here, is such an incredible medium. Color, form and fluid motion delivered in an unforgettable style that’s at the service of a similarly compelling story. With only two animated features under his belt, it’s clear that a few years from now - sooner rather than later - we will be talking about Tomm Moore with the same reverence and adoration as we do now about [Hayao] Miyazaki [Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle]. Here is a new master animator on his way to becoming legendary in his own right — Carlos Aguilar, Indiewire

Song of the Sea starts Friday, February 6
Animation, fantasy – PG – 93 min – Tickets: Adults $8 – children 12 and under $7 at 5:00 or 7:00, $6 at 3:00
Get tickets online
Fri, Feb 6: 5:00, 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Feb. 7: 3:00, 5:00, 7:00
Sun, Feb. 8: 3:00, 5:00
Mon, Feb. 9: 5:00, 7:00
Tues, Feb. 10: 5:00, 7:00
Weds, Feb. 11: 5:00
Thurs, Feb. 12: 5:00, 7:00
Fri, Feb. 13: 7:15
Sat, Feb. 14: 3:00, 5:00, 7:15
Sun, Feb. 15: 3:00
Mon, Feb. 16: 7:15
Tues, Feb. 17: 7:15
Weds, Feb. 18: 3:00, 7:15
Thurs, Feb. 19: 3:00, 7:15
Fri, Feb. 20: No Showings
Sat, Feb. 21: 3:00, 5:00
Sun, Feb. 22: 3:00
Mon, Feb. 23: 5:30
Tues, Feb. 24: 5:30
Weds, Feb. 25: 9:30
Thurs, Feb. 26: 9:30