It’s Ani-May, the perfect time to celebrate all things animation! Explore unique animation styles from across the globe with these new animated movies. All of the following are available for checkout through The Library. (Descriptions below provided by the publisher.)

Little Amélie: or the Character of Rain (France)
For the first years of her life, Amélie never makes a sound. But when her grandmother visits and offers a miraculous bite of chocolate, Amélie suddenly awakens to all the world’s wonders. As she explores her home in post-war Japan, Amélie forms a close bond with her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, and discovers new delights in every flower petal, koi pond, and raindrop.

The Glassworker (Pakistan)
A young glassblower’s world is upended when a violinist and her father arrive in town during a time of war, challenging his relationships and ideals.

Deep Sea (China)
Shenxiu was abandoned by her mother when she was a child. Since then, she has bad dreams about a monster called “Nightmare”. One day, she travels on a cruise ship with her family. On a stormy night, she sees “Nightmare” on the deck, humming her mother’s song and calling her to the sea. She falls and breaks into the fancy “Deep Sea” restaurant, an old transformed submarine. She meets the Chef, Nanhe, and embarks on a mysterious journey.

The Colors Within (Japan)
Totsuko has a unique way of seeing the world: she can see colorful auras around people, though she isn’t able to see her own. She finds herself drawn to her classmate Kimi, who glows with the most beautiful color of all. To get closer to Kimi, Totsuko forms a band with her and Rui, a quiet musician who plays the theremin. As the newfound friends develop the sound of their music, they start to uncover the desires driving the heart of their songs.

Flow (Latvia, France, and Belgium)
A thrilling tale of friendship and survival that took indie animation to ecstatic new heights of ambition and imagination, this Academy Award winning international sensation follows a courageous cat after its home is devastated by a great flood. As the cat teams up with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog to navigate a boat in search of dry land, the crew must rely on trust, courage, and their wits to survive the perils of a newly aquatic planet.

Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (Mexico and USA)
In this Elseworlds story set in 1519, an Aztec warrior sees his village destroyed by, Hernan Cortez. Wounded and afraid, he escapes guided by a bat god. The youth swears vengeance on the European invaders, vowing to stop them at all costs by becoming…The Batman.

Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning (South Korea)
When a demonic uprising threatens to end the world as they know it, an excommunicated priest and monk join forces to protect a powerful young boy and the next generation of magic. As dark forces close in, the unlikely trio must confront their inner demons.
During the month of May, look for the “Animated Movies” displays at all three branches for more animation recommendations.

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