Co-writer (with Will Collins) and director Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells and a segment director of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet) presents yet another European myth; this time surrounding Saoirse, the last child of the selkies, a group of magical women from Irish and Scottish legends with the ability to shape shift from human form into seals. Saoirse flees her homeland to embark on a journey across the seas to free other faery creatures entrapped in the modern world. It is a wondrous thing to have such animated tales that explore older narratives from around the world rather than the latest pop culture-laden confections from the major studios. Plus with rich vocal talent (like Brendan Gleeson and Fionnula Flanagan) on hand, films like Song of the Sea serve as repositories for ancient secret mysteries waiting to be discovered by future generations. (Opens Friday at Mariemont Theatre) (PG) Not screened in time for review
