'In Waves,' a Surf Romance Animation, Explores Love and Loss

French animation continues to diversify with the release of 'In Waves,' a tender melodrama directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen. The film, which premiered at the Cannes and Annecy festivals, is based on AJ Dungo's 2019 autobiographical novel of the same name.

Set in Los Angeles, the story follows AJ, an introverted and shy high school student, who meets Kristen, a more assertive young woman, at a party. Despite their different passions, Kristen's love for surfing and AJ's for skateboarding and drawing, they fall deeply in love.

The narrative takes a poignant turn as Kristen falls ill with cancer. The disease initially leads to the amputation of her leg, with the potential for further, more devastating loss.

'In Waves' is positioned to appeal to audiences beyond the traditional family demographic, targeting both the LGBTQ+ community and teenagers. This approach distinguishes it from other recent animated films, such as the satirical 'Jim Queen,' which also screened at Cannes and Annecy.