Director Damien Colboc’s short animated film is a bittersweet tale of how far we’re willing to go for our loved ones. Though there’s no dialogue and not a lot of set up, “Away” pretty much sets up the exposition through actions and sights. There’s also a lot of ambiguity that the viewer is capable of putting together by the time the film comes to a sad close.
“Away” is set during a trip through the wilderness where a man wanders through various terrains with a grumpy large bear behind him. Using a leash, and goading it along, he uses various methods of keeping the bear in motion, including tossing apples its way. Along the way through the wilderness, the man devises new ways to keep the bear walking, all the while gaining the attention of a very eager wolf.
Colboc’s animation is fantastic, with large colorful landscapes, with a lot of really expressive work on his characters. The journey is made quite clear in the final scenes with a very mystical heartfelt surprise twist that plays on the ideas of karma, love, and self-sacrifice. Truthfully I could have watched this adventure unfold for two hours, but as a short but sweet film, its intentions are ambitious and its ending is absolutely touching.