In a poignant exploration of one of the gravest crises facing humanity, the Spanish-Panamanian animated film “Black Butterflies” takes flight at the prestigious Annecy Animation Festival, shedding light on the heart-wrenching stories of environmental migrants forced to abandon their homelands due to climate change.
Directed by David Baute and based on his live-action documentary “Climate Exodus,” the meticulously crafted 2D animated feature weaves together the narratives of Lobuin, Vanesa, and Soma – three women from diverse corners of the world who share a common fate: the loss of their ancestral homes to the ravages of global warming.
“We’ve tried to put a human face to this drama,” Baute explained. “For nearly 10 years, we’ve followed stories of forced emigration that occur worldwide due to climate issues. This work opened up many possibilities when conceiving the script.”
Through a fusion of delicate, watercolor-infused animation and ethereal musical scores crafted by composer Diego Navarro, “Black Butterflies” transports viewers into the lives of its protagonists, capturing the pain, fear, and underlying trauma that bind their journeys together.
Notably, the film features an exclusive song contributed by renowned Panamanian musician and activist Rubén Blades, who emphasized the urgency of the film’s message: “Climate change as a reason for human immigration is an effect that has not been studied in the necessary depth. ‘Black Butterflies’ raises an important question: Will there be a world where future generations can live?”
Co-producer Edmon Roch of Ikiru Films underscored the significance of the project, stating, “The film addresses a topic as important and timely as it is urgent: climate change and its impact on the most disadvantaged people who suffer from it without having contributed to it, but it does so in a way that we’ve not seen before: through animation, and based on the story of three real women who become characters without ceasing to be people.”
With its intricate blend of intimate storytelling, evocative visuals, and a commitment to amplifying the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis, “Black Butterflies” aims to ignite a deeper conversation about the urgent global challenge and its far-reaching consequences.
“We hear such disparate testimonies every day from experts, politicians, citizens, that it’s already beginning to generate a certain fatigue in the population, and this is very dangerous: the climate issue must be the central issue of concern, since our lives are at stake,” Baute asserted.
As “Black Butterflies” takes flight at Annecy, its powerful narratives promise to resonate with audiences worldwide, serving as a clarion call for collective action and empathy towards those whose lives have been upended by the escalating climate crisis.