Lili: A Stop-Motion Journey Through the Sands of Childhood
In the heart of Tel Aviv, within the creative walls of the boutique TOM & HANI Animation Studio, a delicate and moving story about the fleeting nature of youth has come to life. Founded by filmmakers Hani Dombe and Tom Kouris, this studio specializes in the tactile, hand-crafted world of stop-motion animation. Their film, Lili, is a beautiful example of this dedication, created entirely through traditional stop-motion techniques to capture the essence of a disappearing childhood.
The narrative of Lili is both simple and profound, centering on a young girl who refuses to let go of her youth. As she stands against a fierce sandstorm that threatens to sweep away her innocence, the film becomes a visual metaphor for the struggle of growing up. Within the eye of this storm, Lili rediscovers the pure, vibrant joy of being a child, but she is soon met with a heartbreaking ultimatum: she must finally choose between the comfort of illusion and the gravity of reality.
The artistry behind Lili is a collaborative triumph. While Hani Dombe and Tom Kouris directed the vision—bringing their expertise in puppet building, set construction, and character design to the screen—the emotional landscape of the film is further shaped by the music and sound of Gil Landau. Supported by the Israel Lottery Council, the film stands as a lyrical reminder of the beauty we find in our earliest years and the courage it takes to move beyond them. Through its smooth, stop-motion flow, Lili invites us all to look back at our own childhoods and consider what we carry with us into the wind.
