When introverted Grace and her fire-breathing twin Gilbert are placed in the care of wildly different foster families it seems like tragedy will mark their lives forever, though the siblings stay in touch through letters. After the loss of her elderly eccentric friend Pinky, and without having Gilbert close by, Grace finds comfort and inspiration in the world of snails, retreating into her metaphorical shell as much as she can. As the years pass the siblings’ lives take divergent paths and they grapple with romance, creative pursuits and tragedy, but their bond remains unbroken. Memoir of a Snail is a heartfelt claymation by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Adam Elliot who excels in bringing light to an otherwise dark tale. Eccentric characters, playful animation and a distinct but fun visual humour create a wonderful universe in which lost souls really do have a chance to redeem themselves and find happiness. The result is a bittersweet film that captures the very essence of what it means to be human and acts as a reminder that one must learn to enjoy the life one has been given. (Film Festival Rotterdam, Hugo Emmerzael)