In an approach that feels like part National Geographic and part Finding Nemo, Katak, the Brave Beluga, (produced by 10e Ave), is an animated story of a young Beluga whale on the search for a long-lost family member ? and his independence ? amid environmental dangers, unknown health issues among the whales, and constant bullying for his colouring.
At the surface, Katak?s main struggle is with his peers. He?s developing a bit slower than his male counterparts, maintaining his grey appearance while the others have turned white and moved in with the males. As such, his mother is somewhat overprotective and tells him that he isn?t ready to join them, keeping him under her watchful eye. Katak is eager to set aside his childhood and lean into adulthood. So, when he decides to go on a solo adventure to find his long-lost grandfather before his grandmother ?leaves,? he does so with the conviction that this is the way to show everyone that he is brave and ready to grow up. But does he have the confidence to face the dreaded Jack-Knife, the villainous killer whale, enemy of the Belugas and other unsuspecting sea creatures, who is determined to avenge his honor on the grandson of the one Beluga who defeated him? And can he live to tell the tale?
So often we look at bravery through the lens (in film) of someone on a quest. They have left home behind, often leaving a stereotypical bully or overbearing parent on a mission to prove their worth. But, to be honest, I don?t quite understand why many coming-of-age stories involve going out into the world to prove oneself. I mean, sure, adventure makes for a great movie, but what is that makes someone brave? Most of the time, growing up isn?t about going out. It?s about learning to live exactly where one already is. I mean, yeah sure, there are those opportunities in real life to go out and prove oneself, but when I think of true bravery, I think about how we face the challenges of everyday life, or conflict within our own circles.
And that is where the film does go a bit deeper, but for me it wasn?t with Katak. It was with Jack-Lyn, Jack-Knife?s young daughter. Jack-Lyn isn?t your typical killer whale. She has chosen a vegetarian lifestyle and rejects the violent ways of her father in a posture of kindness and peace-making.
She faced the conflict within her own family and stood firm in her beliefs. She also has to navigate loss in many different ways. The loss of friends because everyone is afraid of her, the loss of her father?s affection because she has a different way of living, the loss that comes with a death?Jack-Lyn faces all of it in the span of a few short scenes. And yes, it took bravery for Katak to leave his family behind and seek out his grandfather, but Jack-Lyn?s bravery is the kind that many of us have to have in the ordinary.
In the end, Katak succeeds in his quest, and even guides back a new pod of Beluga whales back to his home. But it is Jack-Lyn?s bravery that still stands out to me ? because sometimes the bravest thing we can do is learn to live exactly where we are.
Katak, the Brave Beluga is available in theatres now.
