Directed by Arturo and Roy Ambriz, I am Frankelda is a prequel to Frankelda's Book of Spooks. The plot follows Francisca Imedla, a young writer living in 19th-century Mexico who is fascinated by dark stories. This makes her an outsider in the society she lives in. Her imagination results in the creation of Topus Terrenus, a kingdom which survives on nightmares and storytelling. When the kingdom begins to decline due to uninspired tales from its writer, Prince Herneval begins to look out for Francisca, believing her creativity can eventually save his world. In doing so, she realises that her stories contain more power than she ever imagined.
When you wrap up watching this movie, you realise that it is indeed a celebration of artistic expression. Francisca struggles to have her voice heard. This can be relatable to many creators who have been told that their work is not something the audience will like. The plot addresses this issue beautifully and tells us that every creation is important and everyone deserves a chance to be heard. And this is one of the main highlights of the movie.
Another area where I am Frankelda shines is in the story building. Topus Terrenus feels almost real with all the monsters, haunted landscape, and other creations. The development of this for us viewers is a treat to the eyes. It feels as if everything has come to life here. The various animation styles as well as the visual techniques feel very inventive.
I am Frankelda, who is also filled with music sequences. The songs enhance the gothic background and break the monotony. The only issue is that sometimes the plot gets a bit complicated. In an attempt to fill the plot with themes and animations, everything becomes a mix-and-match case. This can create a lot of discontent in the overall viewing experience, where you are trying to understand what is going on and what is actually making sense. The story is amazing, coupled with the animation, but the execution falters.
The plot could have been deeper in showcasing the theme. The entire plot sometimes doesn't go well with the visuals that have been created. Due to this, many viewers might not be able to understand. The pacing also has some issues. Between the songs, the plot slows down in some places. This can also become annoying as you want the plot to catch up on some speed.
So, all in all, if you are someone who likes gothic themes or are a writer who needs inspiration, "Frankelda" is a great watch for you. Though it's not free from its issues, if you are someone who can ignore all of it, then the movie is worth at least one watch for you. A lot of you will end up relating to the main character, and for the makers, that is the ultimate success.
Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times