Inspired by classic fairytales and the director’s primal fear of the dark, Britt Raes’ Luce and the Rock is a captivating family-friendly short that follows a young girl who befriends a giant, living boulder. This 13-minute animated film explores themes of friendship and fear through charming character design, playful framing, and a heartwarming narrative, making it a delightful experience for audiences of all ages.

Introducing the inhabitants of its world, as they wake from their sleep and greet their neighbours, these peaceful villagers find their quiet existence shattered when a huge rock descends from a mountain in the middle of the night. Rising the next day to find their doors blocked, and their houses damaged, young Luce takes it upon herself to rid her neighbourhood of this stoney stranger.

[caption id="attachment_39500" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Luce and the Rock short film

Luce has a fear of the dark, something she discovers she shares with the giant rock creature.[/caption]

Eager to avoid portraying this imposing newcomer as a villain, Raes aimed to craft a story without a clear-cut right or wrong, instead presenting “different characters who experience the same world in a different way.” Believing that “moralistic judgments encourage violence,” the writer/director seeks to “stimulate a different way of thinking” through her narratives. To achieve this, she eschewed typical fairytale tropes like knights in shining armour and damsels in distress, instead creating a world filled with more relatable characters with the aim of “making the mundane magical”.

Despite its adorable storyline forming the central focus of the film, what truly grabs the attention in Luce and the Rock is the playful animation design on show. Raes opts for a minimalistic approach here, but every element of her aesthetic is working to enhance her narrative. “I was drawn to primary elements, in shape and emotion and colour, to create a world that is easy to get drawn into”, the director reveals. With the goal of creating a world “stripped of anything that does not serve the story,” Raes uses this approach to amplify the relatability of her tale.

[caption id="attachment_39498" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Luce and the Rock short film

"The Rock Creature is just looking for a better place to live. He’s mistaken for a threat by this tiny community, but luckily in the end he finds his place." - Raes discussing her huge titular character.[/caption]

While the filmmaker describes the visual style of Luce and the Rock as “very basic,” such an austere aesthetic demands perfection - and it delivers. With every element of production combining forces to go on the charm offence, from the delightful sound design (the noise of the rock purring is adorable!) to the carefully chosen colour palette, this is the kind of film that deserves multiple viewings to truly appreciate its depth and artistry.

Returning to Short of the Week for a second time after we featured her previous short Catherine in 2018, Luce and the Rock enjoyed an impressive festival run following its World premiere at Berlinale in 2022. With this short now released online via Miyu’s YouTube channel Bang Bang - A shot of shorts, Raes has a number of new projects she’s working on (from children’s books to an animated series for adults), alongside her teaching at the KASK School of Arts.