Memoir of a Snail

Australia in the 1970s: Grace and her twin brother Gilbert are raised by their alcoholic father Percy. Their mother died in childbirth, and when their father also dies, the two are placed in different foster homes. Grace is taken in by a sexually permissive family, while her brother is sent to live with fanatical Christians. He is so miserable there that he ultimately takes his own life. Grace misses her brother terribly and withdraws more and more into herself – just like her beloved snails that she has been collecting and devotedly caring for since childhood. When she meets the eccentric Pinky, Grace finds new hope despite all her disappointments and finds her way back to life. 

“Memoir of a Snail” is both a tender and witty story about grief, healing and finding friends in unexpected places. The film combines humour, heartbreak and hope in a uniquely designed claymation world. Adam Elliot, the Oscar-winning director of “Harvie Krumpet” and “Mary and Max”, brings his distinct stop-motion style to “Memoir of a Snail”. In his typical blend of humour and pathos, he creates quirky characters voiced by Nick Cave, among others. The Australian production was awarded Best Feature Film at the Annecy International Film Festival in June 2024. (Xenia Nguyen)