Watch: Remarkable ‘Tsunami Girl’ Animated Short Tells a True Story
by Alex Billington
March 14, 2024
Source: Vimeo
“It was like the sound of waves at the seashore. But a thousand times stronger.” Another stellar animated short film is now available to watch online after playing on the film festival circuit for a few years. Tsunami Girl, also listed as The Girl and the Tsunami, is an animated film telling a true story about an island off of the coast of Chile (see Google Maps). It’s made be a collaboration of filmmakers from Argentina and other countries. In early 2010, on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean called Juan Fernandez, everyone slept in town. But a 12-year-old girl felt a tremor and warned of imminent danger. The short was commissioned to tell help spread awareness of alert systems for tsunamis, especially in remote places like this small island. “Because if Martina had not alerted her neighbors, the story would have been very different, and even more terrible.” It’s amazing that she was able to get up the hill and bang the gong in time to get everyone out and safe before the tsunami arrived. The earthquake was an 8.8 magnitude and most of her town was destroyed.
Thanks to Vimeo Staff Picks for the tip on this. Brief intro to the short from Vimeo: “February 2010, in a Chilenean remote island called ‘Juan Fernandez’, everyone slept in town. Bout our heroine, a 12 year old girl named Martina, felt a tremor and warned and saved all the townspeople from a Tsunami. A true story, told by their protagonist in first person.” Tsunami Girl, originally known as La niña y el tsunami in Spanish (which translates directly to The Girl and the Tsunami), is an animated short film from an original idea by Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch. It’s co-directed by animation filmmakers Leo Campasso, Antonio Balseiro, and Carlos Balseiro. With creative direction and a screenplay by Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch and Carlos Balseiro. It’s produced by Felicitas Soldi, Nancy Nuñez, and Aura Studio. Featuring original music by Diego Voloschin. Created by Pacífico, Aura Studio, Abuelita, and Simbiosis. “The short was premiered at a UN and UNDRR event and then had a long tour of festivals, garnering awards and mentions” before finally debuting online. For more info, visit Vimeo and Simbiosis’ website. To watch more shorts, click here. Your thoughts?
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