Adult Animation Revolution: Watch The Dark Fantasy Drama ‘The Lovers’
by Tito W. James
The Lovers follows Sara Lim Baylon, a reluctant seafood chef from Binondo, Manila. As the youngest member of her family to run their restaurant, Sara faces the daunting pressure to live up to her late father’s reputation and keep the business afloat. When the governor’s inauguration dinner is planned at the restaurant, featuring a Siren as the centerpiece, Sara finds herself drawn into a dangerous affair with the mythical creature.
I had the chance to interview Studio Heartbreak about their inspirations and production of The Lovers. The animated short’s painterly backgrounds are alive with moody colors. The family drama is handled with subtlety and there’s a lot of ambiguity to the relationship between Sara and the Siren. The short is reminiscent of The Shape of Water but with a cultural perspective that’s entirely its own.
You can watch the full animated short right now on YouTube.
