Adam Elliot’s M-rated grim yet satiric ‘clayography’ about the turbulent lives of forcibly separated twins takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster full of unexpected twists
Nov. 3, 2024
Clay puppets from Memoir of a Snail exhibited in ACMI gallery, Melbourne. Photography: Diana Chaika
Do you know those films that stab you right in the heart, over and over, with a storyline that keeps taking darker turns? Memoir of a Snail is exactly that kind of film. “Now it can’t get any worse, right? Oh, I see…”
This poignant ‘clayography’ navigates the lives of twins Grace and Gilbert (voiced by Sarah Snook and Kodi Smit-McPhee), who are adopted by two different families after losing both of their parents: ‘caring’ nudity-obsessed swingers and a cruel apple-fixated cult (choose your fighter).
‘Clayography’ is the signature genre of the movie’s writer, producer, director, and an Oscar-winning animator, Adam Elliot. A mix of ‘clay’ and ‘biography’, this handcrafted term encapsulates Elliot’s personal style: clay-animated stories loosely inspired by his family and friends.
After eight creeping years of the creation, Memoir of a Snail premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, on June 10th, 2024, where it won its first award, Cristal Award for a Feature Film. After traveling through numerous other festivals and collecting well-deserved awards, it finally reached Australian cinemas on October 17th.
The film turned out to be the GOAT at the party, boasting an 8.2 rating on IMDb and a remarkable 94% on Rotten Tomatoes! Critics have hailed it as a "stop-motion charmer", “easily one of the best films”, and “a towering achievement”, which signifies Memoir of a Snail has been warmly embraced by cinephiles.
The story, told from the Grace’s POV, unfolds in the 1970s Australia and navigates her and her twin brother’s lives as they try to overcome seemingly never-ending life challenges. Their birth occurs fatal to their mother, leaving the children with their impaired once-was juggler alcoholic father. Outcasted siblings stick together, supporting one another, until the tragic death of their beloved father leads to their adoption by different families.
While Gilbert is ‘fighting demons' in his cult-like wicked and twisted new family, Grace builds herself a mental ‘shell’, fortified by loneliness and an obsessive fixation on snails. Siblings are motivated to move forward by hope of eventual reunion, which gradually fades away, bringing only mental health problems and identity struggles.
As Grace grows older, she finds herself being surrounded by new frustrations, including a relationship with a fetishist, and an ever-expanding collection of snails. Only newfound and yet solid friendship with an elderly quirky lady named Pinky brightens her distressing days.
The characters of the film, animated clay puppets (no CGI!), are reminiscent of Tim Burton ones, but chunkier. Painted in muted tones, with gloomy and imperfect faces, they are an irreplaceable key to the dark and dreary aesthetic of the film, which pulls at the audience’s empathy.
Clay puppets of Graceexhibited in ACMI gallery, Melbourne. Photography: Diana Chaika
Knowing that the plotlines and characters are inspired by Eliot’s own life, friends and family, it comes as no surprise how deeply relatable and thoughtfully crafted they appear. Heroes are handling serious and highly relevant issues, including alcoholism, bullying, dealing with loss, and LGBTQ+ struggles – just to name a few.
With its perfect combination of tragedy and dark comedy, Memoir of a Snail leaves audiences both crying and laughing in the theaters. Often distressing yet strangely comfortable, the film will be a warm hug for those going through tough times, and sarcastic food for thought for everyone else.
Verdict
Memoir of a Snail is absolutely worth a watch for those not easily disturbed and looking for a film to challenge their emotions, views, and perception of animations.
Info box
Screening dates October 17th – Novermber 6th , 2024
