Spoon

The daily recall which causes pain

In "Spoon", german filmmaker Markus Kempken has created an animation that develops through the childhood memories, one that tells us not all of those memories are necessarily happy ones. It is a job about childhood traumas and how these can affect the present life. In this case, recalling events of domestic violence which is reflected as a family heritage that passes down through generations, leaving its mark on each one of its members. When we learn about the meaning of its title, we realize it is something really scathing. Kempken doesn't pretend to give us answers, but he makes us take part of this sad, traumatic and blistering feeling without leaving us out the beauty hiding beneath this pain, giving the animation a reflexive quality which follows a poetic turn.

Childhood sufferings transform themselves into the adult traumas. Kempken uses flashbacks mixing color with black and white, not necessarily to separate present from past since some of the color animations also happen during the past sequences, but to make a distinction betweeen the memories which are the most obscure and harder to cope. If sadness invites compassion, there is also a notorious dignity seducing the audience into admiring its lead, voiced by the own Kempken, who gives the impression of doing an honest confession about his own past.

The art is really beautiful using a blurry style, like watching thunderclouds in the sky in the case of the color sequences and pencil drawing sketches in the case of the black and white ones. This art suits really good the story that Kempken unfolds. What may not be so grateful is the fact that the theme of the film is an easy one to identify with, as it brings light to a common issue that may resonate well with generations from 50 to 60 years ago. One is grateful that because Kempken doesn't want to give any answers, he limits himself by telling his story without judging any of the characters involved. Past can't be fixed, but venting proves sorrow doesn't have to be fought in solitude, we also have to share our pains.