Why did it take me so long to watch this beautiful little movie? The Secret of Kells is, for absolute reals, my new obsession.
One of the very best things about this movie is that the richness of the art is equaled by the sense of history, the characters, and the story.
While young Brendan has grown up knowing only the inside of the Kells monastery walls, his experience of the world expands when a refugee from the Viking attacks on Iona (Brother Aidan, master illuminator) brings The Book to Kells. Brendan enters the forest (an activity forbidden by Abbot Cellach, his uncle) and meets Aisling, a fairy who helps him not only in his quest for berries, but in facing his deepest fears - represented by the pagan god Crom Cruach.
The names are lifted right out of the pages of Celtic history, and even the immortalized cat Pangur Bán has a special role.
You can see why I'd fall in love with this movie. It has everything I want: good looks, a personality, and a sense of humor. And of course religion.
Sadly, a few reviews by Christians of this movie found it Not Christian Enough™ and asked why there would be more reality to the "pagan nonsense" than the Jesus stuff. For example, though the famous Chi-Ro page is mentioned several times, its symbolism is never explained. To them, I say, dear reviewers: a) Congratulations! (Imagine Link opening a trunk in Zelda) You've found a fairy tale, it is awesome and b)Sure, Jesus here or there would have been nice, but you are aware that this wasn't made to be a nice lil fluffy Christian movie, yes? Personally, my interest in my own religious history was piqued and ever since then I've been on a path of study of Celtic Christianity. I've been reading up on Christianity and the Celts (an aside: love those little books, perfect for non-academics like me), Thin Places: An Evangelical Journey into Celtic Christianity and now The Book of Kells (a birthday present from Hans, along with the movie ❤).
Anyone who may be a mild stalker of interesting fellows should definitely visit and follow The Blog of Kells, written by Tomm Moore, director, animator, and all-around creative genius behind The Secret of Kells. Just look at the total cuteness and fabulousness of his next project:
Song Of The Sea - Conceptual Trailer from Cartoon Saloon on Vimeo.
