As the protagonist, an old man, watches the water levels rise in his home, we see him reflect on his past and the memories tied to each layer of his submerged house. The water represents time and loss, forcing him to build up in order to survive. The visuals of the once warm and cozy interiors replaced by water create a melancholic atmosphere. The moment peaks when he realizes he cannot hold on to everything he loves as he continues to build further up. This builds a sense of urgency and despair, highlighting the struggle against the inevitable.

Context: The old man initially appears stoic, having already faced loss due to rising water in his life. Each layer of his house symbolizes different periods of his life, filled with memories and significant people.

In this tender moment, the old man swims through the water and discovers a cherished object belonging to his deceased wife. As he surfaces and looks at the object, a wave of nostalgia washes over him. The visuals slow down, focusing on his expression which mixes sorrow and warmth. This pivotal moment connects his past to his present, emphasizing the love that transcends loss. The aftermath sees him placing the item carefully on a high shelf, symbolizing how he keeps her memory alive even amidst despair.

Context: His journey through the layers of his house reflects his search for identity and connection, particularly the impact of losing his wife, which is a recurring theme in his memories.

As the old man constructs a new, higher layer to his home, we see him using makeshift building materials. The process is slow and fraught with struggle. There’s a moment where he pauses to catch his breath, looking exhausted yet determined. The visuals capture the fragility of the structure, a metaphor for his resilience amid adversity. This symbolic act of building turns into a fierce proclamation of his will to survive and endure.

Context: The act of building represents his need to adapt and the human instinct to overcome challenges, paralleling the broader theme of survival against the odds.

After finishing the new layer of his house, the old man climbs up and gazes at the towering water around him. The breathtaking visuals of the water stretching endlessly create a sense of isolation but also a strange beauty. This moment encapsulates his solitude, yet the view brings a hint of peace as he contemplates his existence. It marks a significant turning point where he acknowledges his isolation while also embracing the world around him.

Context: This scene highlights the contrast between isolation and beauty, emphasizing the duality of the old man's experience as he faces both loss and acceptance.

While searching the flooded lower areas of his home, he discovers a photograph of his family during happier times. The scene captures a bright, warm light as he holds it close to his heart, evoking feelings of joy and sorrow simultaneously. The peak emotion of this moment is the bittersweet realization of how time has changed everything. He tenderly wipes the water from the photograph, symbolizing his desire to hold onto those memories despite the decay surrounding him.

Context: This moment serves to remind both him and the audience of the happiness that once filled his life, contrasting with the present circumstances of despair and loss.

As the old man swims through the water, he experiences flashbacks of his family celebrating milestones, filled with laughter and joy. The visuals shift between the present and the past, showcasing the stark contrast of his current loneliness against a backdrop of vibrant memories. This sequence serves as a poignant reminder of what has been lost and creates an emotional crescendo that impacts the viewer deeply. As he surfaces with tears streaming down his face, it encapsulates heartache and longing.

Context: The water here becomes a powerful symbol of memory—a medium that carries both love and loss as the old man relives his happiest moments.

In a moment of vulnerability, the old man confronts his own fears while building the final layer of his home. The visuals focus on his trembling hands and fading strength. In his mind, he presents a monologue about fear and hope, revealing the depth of his struggle. Just as he finishes constructing the layer, he pauses to look out over the expanding water, reflecting on his choices and the life he has built, leading to a powerful moment of self-acceptance.

Context: This moment represents the culmination of his journey, addressing themes of mortality and resilience, which resonate throughout the film.

Amidst the isolation and loneliness, a young child suddenly appears, playing in the water. The old man observes in silence, the sight filling him with a mix of hope and fear. The visuals highlight the child’s innocence against the dark, submerged world around them, and their laughter carries a weight of joy that draws the old man out of his despair. This moment signifies the possibility of new beginnings and connection, igniting a spark of life in him that has long been absent.

Context: The child serves as a metaphor for hope and rebirth, contrasting the old man's memories of loss with the innocence of youth and the potential for a brighter future.

In a powerful moment alone at the highest part of his home, the old man looks down at the water that has consumed everything else. His expression is one of profound realization that he has built this isolation around himself. The visuals are stark, showcasing the vast empty space around him. As he sits in silence, it’s clear he understands the need for connection, highlighting the theme of loneliness against the backdrop of human experience.

Context: This moment encapsulates the emotional struggle of the protagonist, revealing the internal conflict between building barriers and seeking connection.

The old man reflects on his life and the things he has lost while watching the rising water flow. This introspective scene is beautifully animated, capturing his fragile emotions. He muses about the impermanence of life, and the visuals illustrate this with fleeting images of his loved ones. The peak moment comes when he whispers a soft farewell, showcasing acceptance and peace in the face of inevitable loss.

Context: This reflects the film’s central theme of facing mortality and embracing the ephemeral nature of existence, providing a profound resolution to his journey of remembrance.

As the old man prepares to leave the final layer of his home, he takes a moment to touch the walls adorned with memories—sketches and objects representing his life. The visuals glow with warmth as he runs his fingers along them, symbolizing acceptance. The scene culminates in his decision to let go of the past while cherishing the memories forever engraved in his heart, marking an emotional turning point.

Context: The concept of letting go while still honoring the past is central to the protagonist’s journey, culminating in a powerful and emotional farewell to everything he loved.

In the end, the old man descends into the water with a sense of peace after having fully embraced his past, ready to face whatever comes next. The visuals are serene as he disappears beneath the water, symbolizing a transition rather than an end. This moment emphasizes rebirth and acceptance as the old man swims into the unknown, leaving the audience with a sense of bittersweet hope.

Context: This final act highlights the theme of closure and the concept of moving forward despite loss, wrapping up his journey with a message of hope and renewal.

The film concludes with a shot of the old man’s empty house, now just a silhouette against the water at sunset. The wistful visuals capture the inevitability of change and the echoes of lived experiences. As the camera slowly pans out, the audience feels a deep sense of reflection on the beauty of life and the profound connections we form, both with people and memories.

Context: This final shot leaves viewers contemplating their own stories and connections, closing the narrative with a reminder of life’s impermanence and beauty.