Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Directed by Florence Miailhe, the short animated film ‘Papillon’ (Butterfly) is a poignant story about a French swimmer recalling his life as he takes a dip in water, recollecting both happy and traumatic memories of his part, including the persecution he faced during World War II by the Nazis for being a Jew.
Inspired by the life of French Swimmer Alfred Nakache, ‘Papillon’ is fifteen minutes long and looks like acrylic paintings in motions. And even though the paintings aren’t intricate, they immediately feel personal as they’re hand-drawn and memorably create the life of the swimmer: from a shy boy scared of water, to that of an Olympic athlete on the world stage.
‘Papillon’ is a silent work of art, with no dialogue, and a subtle music which complement the mood of the tale. Besides, the animated paintings speak for themselves, flowing smoothly through different phases of the protagonist’s life as he swims through waters both rough and calm.
We witness the tale shift between moments of quiet romance, like peaceful romantic sunsets by the sea, and stark tragedy, where he is ripped apart from his wife and child, as they are all sent to concentration camps. The moving painting capture love, loss, survival and resilience.
One of the film’s most striking moments comes when the protagonist is asked to leave a swimming pool under newly enforced anti-Jewish laws. In quiet defiance, his teammates follow him out, refusing to continue without him. The scene echoes real history, as Alfred Nakache was barred from competing at the French championships in Toulouse in 1943, prompting his fellow swimmers to boycott the event in solidarity.
Almost all his life’s major events are seen through the lens of water, either through swimming pools, rivers, or ocean waves, showing how the athlete remains connected with the ocean for the rest of his life. Even when everything is taken away from him, he does not give up on swimming. Alfred is one of the rare few Jewish athletes who are recorded to have participated in the Olympics after World War II ended.
If stories of War survivors fascinate you, this short film is absolutely worth a watch.
Watch Papillon (Butterfly) on YouTube.
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