Wolf Children – The Lone Wolf Family
Written by Dr. Zoe Crombie
The archetype of the feral child has long captivated audiences, from the myth of Romulus and Remus to the present day. They can be used to show a more playful point of view unencumbered by civilisation a la The Jungle Book, a synergy with nature as in Wolfwalkers, or even a more cynical Lord of the Flies take on humanity’s true nature.
Wolf Children takes a different approach to this trope, making the wildness of the titular children the result of a love story cut unfortunately short. Acclaimed anime filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda follows the life of Hana, a college student who has the children of a shapeshifting wolf man and must raise them alone after tragedy strikes. The kids Ame and Yuki (named in Japanese for the weather at the time of their birth) have inherited their father’s ability, and what follows is a story of adaptation, determination, and choosing your path in life. Though it’s rendered with Hosoda’s characteristic minimalism and a fantastical story, Wolf Children is a real tearjerker, so be warned!
A fresh take on the feral child with heart and an inventive approach to its characters, Wolf Children might just be Hosoda’s best.
See the Wolf Children on 17th & 21st August.
