Totsuko has an incredible ability: she sees the colors people emit. She’s most fascinated by the shade radiating from her classmate, Kimi. Soon, Totsuko, Kimi, and the introverted Rui form a band, creating a safe space for the three outsiders.

Film expert recommends

The third feature-length film by the still-young Japanese animator, who previously enjoyed great success with audiences and critics with her second work, Silent Voice (2016). There, as in the new film, Yamada successfully explores the world of young people who are afflicted by disability or difference, but are able to turn it into spiritual and life success, “infecting” others with their uniqueness. The director’s second theme is school life, which she portrays in a variety of colors, often not as pastel as in her new film. The Colors Within is an artistically successful realization of the vision of a person perceiving the world through synesthesia; in this case, seeing in people their inner colors, which often determine a person’s personality. Subtle psychology and an impressionistic visual style do not allow us to see in Yamada’s film the image of an exalted teenager, but a story about art (music), which creates friendships and allows at a young age to form character and teach an empathetic attitude towards oneself and others.

Jacek Nowakowski

• with Polish and English subtitles
• age: 14+