This month on Planet Classroom, audiences can screen The Brightest Star, directed by Tuomas Tuppurainen.
Enter the enchanting world of The Brightest Star, Tuomas Tuppurainen’s nostalgic animated fantasy that evokes the magic of golden-age fairy tales and the artistry of Studio Ghibli. When a curious child stumbles into a forgotten cave, she encounters a celestial spirit whose true nature is shrouded in mystery. Is it a friend or a threat? This dialogue-free masterpiece weaves a haunting tale through breathtaking visuals, a stirring score, and a story that lingers long after the final frame.
This film is curated for Planet Classroom by the Kids FIRST! Film Festival.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Tuomas Tuppurainen.
What inspired you to create a silent, dialogue-free narrative for The Brightest Star?
Short films as a format are great for dialogue-free storytelling. For me, it is also more interesting to tell a story and convey the feelings of the characters and the reasoning behind their actions through movement and images alone. It’s a creative challenge that offers the chance to produce a powerful work of art.
Can you elaborate on the film’s visual style and its connection to classic Disney and Studio Ghibli?
I grew up with classic Disney and Studio Ghibli films, so I wanted to create a “love letter to my childhood” in the visuals. This includes detailed, painting-like backgrounds, cel-shaded hand-drawn characters, and the blending of those elements together. Although the characters are 3D animated, I worked hard to bring the feeling of frame-by-frame hand-drawn animation to the short film.
You can also see Disney and Studio Ghibli influences in the character designs. For example, the Spirit nods to Disney’s Atlantis and the forest god from Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke.
How do you interpret the Spirit’s role in the story—is it friend, foe, or something else?
The Spirit might look intimidating at first, and we see a small demonstration of its powers when the girl tries to scare it away. Ultimately, though, the Spirit is a kind being. It accompanies people on their journey to the afterlife and ensures their souls cross safely to the other side.
What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from this bittersweet tale?
I wanted to suggest that death might not be as hopeless as it seems. Perhaps you or your loved ones won’t have to make the journey alone, and maybe everything will be alright in the end. You might even become a new star in the night sky, watching over the people you love.
Thank you, Tuomas!
C. M. Rubin with Tuomas Tuppurainen
Don’t miss The Brightest Star, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by the Kids FIRST! Film Festival for Planet Classroom.
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