Journey to Yourland
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Date Reviewed: 27/05/2023
Slovak director Peter Budinsky spent almost a decade preparing his feature-length animated film, Journey to Yourland and it was not time wasted as it carries an important message for both children and adults alike.
The story channels The Wizard of Oz and focuses on Riki, a young boy with a weak heart and a passion for mystery. Riki and his mom are moving to a new home, and he is desperate to get in touch with his father who he hopes might be able to stop or stall the move. He grows distrustful towards his mum because of her reluctance to explain where dad is and why they had to leave their home so suddenly.
Riki’s sense of intrigue is ignited when he observes an SOS signal from an apartment in the building across from them. He tries to tell his mum, who doesn’t take him seriously, and so he tries to contact dad. As a police officer, he will be able to help Riki solve the mystery. But when his father doesn’t answer either, Riki grows resentful. Instead of waiting for the grownups for help, Riki sets off to get to the bottom of things.
The bottom becomes quite real as a shiny gem that was sending off the SOS signal lodges itself in his chest and transports him into a parallel reality called Yourland. In Yourland robots are life-sized, monkeys can talk, ravens are sinister and the gem that is hiding in Riki’s chest needs to be taken to its nesting place to save Yourland. Luckily, he encounters a charming young girl Emma who helps Riki to learn to trust others once again.
The ending is probably what Journey to Yourland stands out from other children’s films. Riki begins to understand how frustrations and disappointments can lead to rage and aggression and that knowledge helps him save Yourland.
This also allows him to show compassion towards his parents instead of just thinking about himself – the first step towards growing up. It is a very mature theme to tackle – recognising your emotions before they become toxic. And to weave a rollicking fairy tale around it is praiseworthy.
Journey to Yourland is directed by Peter Budinský and features the voices of Juraj Kemka, Erik Konicek, Helena Krajciov, Greta Luprichova, and Jozef Vajda.
The majority of the film is animated in 3D, and, all the characters were designed as 20 cm tall puppets, though modeled with 3D software. While the flashbacks and backstories are rendered in 2D and usually revolve around supporting characters.
Journey to Yourland is another example of a well-made children’s film with an important message handled in a very sensitive way, well done!
Reviewed by Barry Hill OAM