Can you hear the music ? | BG3 ASTARION | ANIMATIC

I had a lot of feelings i needed to put down.
You can found me on twitter, instagram, but also tiktok if you'd like to support me there !
INSTA : @/maatdraws
TWITTER: @/maatdraws
TIKTOK: @/maatdraws
MUSIC : Can You Hear The Music · Ludwig Göransson
Oppenheimer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
• Can You Hear The Music

[@catandrobbyflores]

Duuuude! This was incredible! I love how Tav/durge went from another faceless person to Astarion to being something more.

[@christine1847]

I didn't even notice that. now I am hurting

[@wonderwoman409]

And no one can half understand the emotions that Astarion felt when, after so many decades, he saw the sun again and there was no more pain. You made me feel feelings, and this music suits him very well! I like to think that this chaotic rhythm is an analogy to his restless heart while he was in captivity. Thank you, you are incredibly talented❤

[@abi21891]

I wonder if there was a moment of pure horror when he opened his eyes and realized he was in the sun, if he ran for cover before realizing he was safe.

[@saraao3829]

​@abi21891 there kind of was in his origin story! When he wakes up on the beach the narrator points out his immediate fear of the sun

[@kateislate3160]

“You brought my dead heart back to life. It will keep beating.”

[@thecheck968]

I... adore this, especially the repeated motif of time. For all Astarion knew, he really was going to be a slave for eternity. For centuries, he was resigned to a fate worse than death where time meant nothing but more pain. But it was all building up to him finally getting his freedom, his life, back. He just never could have known. What would have changed if he knew someday all that torment would come to an end? Would he have landed on that beach as such a cruel and twisted person? Same with his scar. It came to represent every moment of pain Cazador inflicted on him. And he still had no way of knowing what had been done to him. So much of Astarion's story feels like it was beyond the scope of Astarion. Like he wasn't even supposed to grasp what was happening to him, let alone break free of a very long cycle of abuse. His story is about defying fate, odds, everything that ever happened to him.

[@kim-urban-edwards2083]

Abuse victims very VERY rarely grasp what is happening to them. That's what makes Astarion's story so powerful

[@thecheck968]

@@kim-urban-edwards2083 That's really good insight and adds so much more symbolism to his scar. He has a running tally of every wrong Cazador ever committed against him and is bitter because he understands how much of him was taken away. So at first, it seems like he is aware of the extent of his abuse and the scar doesn't fit quite as nicely. It almost seems too abstract to really apply to real life examples of abuse. But while Astarion is aware of what is happening to him, he is so deeply isolated from everything beyond himself. He's forgotten that people can be genuinely good. His worldview was warped so he saw people as superior and inferior, with him desperate to climb up from the bottom of that totem pole. Astarion's lack of awareness seems to stem from self absorption, but not in being vain. He believed his pain was unique to him (made even worse by Cazador's "favoritism") and that everyone else's experiences were less valid, or that they even deserved for them being "weak." Again, with the worldview Cazador instilled on him, someone to be weaker than him. I think that's why the redeemed Dark Urge romance is so compelling with Astarion. He's shown that genuinely good people exist and will help him just because he asked. Not only that, but he's confronted with another person suffering a similar fate as his own. For the first in centuries, he's confronted by a person in pain and want to help them. He realizes that he doesn't have to go in this alone. And while no one else shares the exact scars that he does, thousands of others can relate to him. (whoops, I wrote a mini essay. my b.)

[@yasiegonlastie5483]

okay fuck this. I'm gonna go ahead and rant bout how much I fucking admire this animatic. I felt scared watching it from the music's buildup and the scenes especially the knives hanging from the roof (only one is bleeding which stabbed Astarion's heart) the part where he's looking down at the city his face is screaming stress and how he can't take it anymore, I felt a disgusted feeling in my throat at how he was offering himself, then the knife stabbing more and the wine spilling (him spilling away all his feelings) THE SCARS ENGULFING HIM BUT HIS BACK, HOW DO YOU THINK SOMETHING THAT AMAZING??????????? THE SHIP AND HIM WAKING UP BUT TAV'S EYES ARE CROSSED OUT AS IF HE'S AN ENEMY TOO!! THEN THE BIG ONE HITS AT WHEN THEY START TO BOND, all his memories and past experiences all come and crash, but the loudest thing was his heart beating again. Tldr; Someone pull me away from the keyboard before I write up a whole novel on how much I deeply appreciate this animatic and the creator

[@thecheck968]

Okay, not to disregard what you wrote at the very end, but could you elaborate a little bit more on the imagery of knives and the glass of wine? There's a lot of imagery in this video, and those I don't quite understand yet. Especially why only the one knife would be bloodied. And if the glass is blood or wine and what that really represents.

[@mischief5905]

Guys, elaborate, I just want to read more about it.

[@yasiegonlastie5483]

@@thecheck968 OH THANK YOU I’D LOVE TO YAP MORE!! I think the glass of wine spilling over the dagger is him giving up completely on his feelings and the dagger is his will to fight back, the wine spilling over it meaning he was tipped over the edge and couldn’t take it anymore, so he stopped caring and stopped fighting. The knives being hung from the wall scene is really interesting to me. When you see something as that it’s terrifying, all but one dagger is bloodied. If someone is climbing up to save themselves from hell, they’d clutch to a rope, what if that rope has a knife hanging at the end? You get injured. It stabbed his hand that tried to free him and then it shows how it slowly stabbed through his heart. *Maybe* it shows Astarion’s condition to free himself but even freedom gets him hurt, and the last time he got hurt, he was sealed away for a year. I wish I could know more about that one, it looks like something straight out of a nightmare and I am *MANIC* for more.

[@RedAngelXV]

@@yasiegonlastie5483i love it when people rant passionately about shit they love and appreciate 🥰

[@yasiegonlastie5483]

@@RedAngelXV >^< awww you’re rlly sweet thank you, I have fun a lot in doing rants, I worry they’re annoying sometimes tho xd

[@bewareofjoey]

Bro… my adrenaline- my emotions are rollercoasting rn but I’m gonna settle with crying holy fuck… this is an art work.

[@shadowqueen4444]

Currently crying my heart out, this is so beautiful! You captured Astarion perfectly ❤

[@frogimon]

THIS really embodied why I can’t help but romance Astarion every playthrough. Absolutely breathtaking, thank you for making this

[@ravenrose_99]

Holy shit! This is absolutely incredible!!! You did such an amazing job showcasing his trauma as being something unsetting as well as overwhelming. And GOD the ending when the heart started beating I literally got chills!!! Everything was paced so well and melded with the music beautifully! Truly a work of art! Well done!!!

[@sophiafox6953]

This is so wonderfully drawn. It really shows how differently Astarion experiences the world compared to tav. For him life is just reliving trauma over and over again. I love this so much!!!

[@viIIaneIIe]

the heart beating at the end is so touching. one of my favorite astarion videos ever

[@qtauroraa]

Honestly, one of the best animatics I've seen that portrays Astarion and his truama, and how he learns to overcome it with the help of Tav. This gave me literal goose bumps, this is amazing

[@Somniatica]

Sobbing crying dying crying harder sobbing best Astarion animatic 2024 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@FredwardDrawn]

DAMN. DAMN THIS SERIOUSLY AMAZING oh my GOD!!!! the transitions, the expressions, your style- it all creates such an amazing blow to the soul with the heart beat at the end. This is beautiful, thank you for making and sharing this video!! Your art made each shot that much better~

[@justnice3622]

I rarely comment on KZbin, but...man ever since I found this video I can't stop coming back to it and watching it again and again and again! It's utterly mesmerizing, from the music to the symbolism to the actual artwork! I adore the way the main colour in this is red, I love the scene where astarion is curled up with the infernal contract rotating with the beat of the music, I love absolutely EVERYTHING. Best of all I love this because it made me think and reflect, and god do I thank you for making this masterpiece of a video. You've inspired me and I can't tell you enough what a great job you did! Wow...

[@maat_art1115]

Thanx for the kind comment ! I gave all my love and understanding of the character in this and i'm glad you are all seeing it as I do 🥺🧡

[@Raven.Rain.]

This hurt my heart and my body- and i love it- you drew astarion so perfect and i could feel his pain (albeit because i relate to him so much) it started with pain and then slowly became astarion learning what love was and learning how to accept being loved this was amazing

[@persephoenix]

I literally don’t think I’ve ever seen an animatic this beautiful. Simple colours, gorgeous imagery paired with perfect music. Bloody incredible, my friend.

[@luckyanya9354]

Very well done and I liked the touch about the facelessness too. Like the people Astarion lured became faceless and he was too later then Tav pops up. He has the chance to have a full redemption arc.

[@maat_art1115]

Yeah, is all about the detachment from the people he had intercourses with 🥲 feeling the need to not valid them as people to get through it, no faces no identity

[@gunsofthevoid3557]

Oh be still my heart, i felt the whole thing. immense pain for astarion. then hope then happiness, you did an amazing job pulling all the feels. I would love more like this ❤❤

[@RealR4cc00n_]

I love this animation so much, not only because it captures Astarions past and his story, but his change and leaning to be free

[@amzokadamagic8819]

This is incredible!! Definitely the best Astarion animatic I've seen so far!

[@cerek6000]

ok i've been seeing this video on my recommended and i was TERRIFIED to watch it because i knew it would break my heart and oh my GOD was i right. astarion's story is such a devastating one to me and the more i play through bg3 the more i just feel awful for him. the fact that getting abducted by mind flayers is what it took for him to be free is so devastating too. it makes me wonder how he felt about being on the ship, about to turn into a hivemind monster for all he knew--was he scared? was he relieved, because it wasn't what his life was before? would he have resigned to that fate if the ship didn't crash? i'm at the end of act 2 so i'm scared and excited to learn more about him. i love this guy. absolutely incredible work

[@evemartinez8519]

In this you brought back to the surface all the feels I’ve had getting to know his story, his struggles, truths and pains… This was amazing, thank you for bringing this together!

[@Bro0724]

Holy shit, I was in complete awe watching this. With the drawn shots and the music increasing in intensity, you were able to create such good tension in this animatic!! I almost never comment on a video but this animatic was the most beautiful showing of Astarions story that truly made me smile.

[@griffinraynor8425]

This is so gorgeous and emotional! I haven't been able to play the game yet so I've come to understand the details of Astarion's story secondhand, and this gets the overarching feelings and revelations across perfectly. The absolute, devastated surprise on his face at the hug as it puts everything he suffered into a new context, as he awakens to a possibility of something better, and then the heartbeat as the music stops... it's so evocative and I love him.

[@imgayandsoisthemoon4703]

If this isn't known as the Astarion animatic I'm going to sue. This is so stunning and so beautiful! I had to rewatch it over and over because it was so amazing!! And every time it still gave me chills I absolutely adore this!!

[@reveri23]

I was hoping Astarion would hug Tav at the end😩💔 Amazing perfection work!!!!!😭🥺🤤❤

[@Karmychan]

Astarion's story perfectly summed up ! Magnificent animation !❤

[@isxaxrealxgirl]

I'm speechless. My jaw actually, legitimately dropped watching this.

[@andreassu]

Holy shit these game me chills, this was so good

[@shilashirrgna]

That was so powerful... Beautifully made

[@hotterhatter2211]

This is beautiful and wonderful and now I am crying.

[@samthemelon]

this hits so differently for me since i had just finished the game for the first time romancing astarion.. this is very beautiful

[@Starborn_Rose]

Stunning work!!! This deserves millions of views. You don’t just have artistic talent, but narrative talent as well. I loved the ending with his heart beating again. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

[@dadodem2157]

This animatic is so beautiful...I am feeling so many emotions at once. You have beautifully captured the dynamic between my Tav and Astarion. I am crying. I also love the music choice used with it! Magical!😢❤❤ Thank you.

[@randomuser2818]

I'm loving every frame of this. Since there are no words that would describe what he actually feels and no analogy we can use as humans who don't even make it to one century... This imagery and music are perfect. Two centuries of torment that he thought would never end, showing us what it might have felt like

[@bogpaddle]

Gorgeous work, god i love this. Also it got me to listen to the Oppenheimer ost so win win

[@ephemeral_iist]

MAAT OHMYGOD HOW DID I NOT SEE THIS SOONER LOOK AT THEM THE WAY HIS HEART STARTS BEATING AGAIN IM SO SOSFT

[@maat_art1115]

♥♥

[@viIIaneIIe]

No amount of literature can explain how BEAUTIFUL, INCREDIBLE, & AMAZING THIS VIDEO IS. NEVER THOUGHT I NEEDED THIS SONG & ASTARION TOGETHER

[@bubblegumcrab]

You're brilliant. This art is brilliant. I am so happy you understand the full depth of astarion

[@Boxoboi]

the tav being another faceless character in his life really shows how he just was doing what he told, he didnt care about what the person was or who it was, and believed the player to be another on added to the mix for protection. then as it slowly shows the face it shows that he slowly started to see the character for who they was and it makes more sense with the romantice scene where his like "i fall for you" or even non romance scene where he still thanks you for what you did.

[@aranoanor]

i don't have the words to describe my feelings, but i'll try. this knocked me to my knees, left me speechless, and allowed me to cry after weeks of tears being trapped inside. every frame, every detail, every emotion is so strong. i think i've watched at least a dozen times at this point, and i can't stop. the song choice could not be more perfect, and the composition and pacing is incredible. your art is so beautiful, and this has so much weight to it. thank you for this

[@maat_art1115]

Thank you for your kind words, i'm glad i could help a bit

[@user-hf5hz7ld4g]

OMFG. Ive rewatched this about 9 thousand times, I cant explain how much Iove this. How you draw Astarion, His heart beating again, how Durge/Tav eventually becomes more detailed /theyre face is shown- im dying rn. This is a work of art

[@maat_art1115]

thank you for your kind words mate, i'm so glad people enjoy it ! i really gave my heart and soul to this animatic haha ♥

[@presentlycrescent]

I’m supposed to be working but instead I’m hunched over on the ground sobbing I love him so much I just want this pixel man to be okay Thank you for this

[@byakuyatogamistumblr5958]

I dont know how to properly put into words how this makes me feel /pos. As one of the surely many people that relate to/project onto Astarion quite a bit, this animatic truly feels like someone reaching though my ribcage and cradeling my heart like it could shatter at any moment. Big feelings, is all.

[@user-ey7qi9iz8r]

The expressions broke my heart but in a good way 🥺

[@TisBeOmega]

Beautiful.

[@AriPotter]

I saw this first on instagram and now it popped up in my youtube. I watched it religiously for the entirety of its 5 hours length.

[@kyleecook6671]

The body used up, the soul that stops reacting, stretches of time, seas of nameless nights, and then a change. Something better after the endless dark. The black opens up to the stars, the moon glimmers. There's a hand now, gentle and honest. And it gets better now. It will be better now. Maaan this animatic is just classy! Your imagery, your timing, the facial expressions...

[@Jasmineteandfantheories]

Just started playing bg3 and I now have the feeling I’m about to friendship is magic this man into self care

[@halcyon3622]

Ah. You've made me less normal about a character I already wasn't normal about. Love it!!!!!

[@justdunkaroos]

Thank you so much for making this, this is incredible!

[@ClckWrkHrt]

TEARS!! This was so good, thank you for making it and sharing

[@fioreail]

Gosh the tears I shed about this, gorgeous work!

[@fa3ri3j3n]

This was beautiful, captured Astarion beautifully 🥺

[@clefang7568]

Oh this is GORGEOUS

[@nengojo9721]

man this is so good i got so excited cus you basically combined two of my fave media rn!! the music fits his story well and astarion’s face at the end is very touching

[@l3ila219]

This was so beautiful I teared up a bit. Gorgeous job you did on this

[@the_tired_gay]

This is so good bro! I love it so much

[@MimiesaILY]

This is BEAUTIFUL ❤ I love this so much!

[@MeliMiyoko]

I literally got chills! Seriously amazing work 😍

[@rosaliepostsstuff]

Well, thank you for making me cry. Good job, really.

[@maat_art1115]

my pleasure dear !

[@fuyu6957]

WOW, amazing work!❤

[@rachaelnoel.]

chills. that was genuinely beautiful

[@KitsuneHB]

So beautiful and so perfectly captured!

[@Asidian]

This was absolutely stunning

[@wokeuptooearly]

Oh my god it’s amazing! I always love how you draw Astarion and ofc love Iorek, but this is just something else 😍😍

[@nix260]

Bro I'm crying rn, this was so well made, you are so talented

[@rizliesmur1226]

I burst into tears, thank you. It was wonderful.

[@Aninha1020]

This was so sad 😥 You're amazing

[@KittyCat77712]

im crying and i have no words but it fit so perfectly for him note i rarely cry

[@enderrosemultiverse1262]

I love this! I love this so much! Perfect

[@KenzoWasHere]

This, oh my god was amazing. I just found this and you did an AMAZING job, conveying how your tav soon made Astarion feel alive and how they werent another faceless person in the crowd, GODS THIS WAS GOOD

[@theawkwardartist12]

I could just FEEL everything in this. Well done, well done.

[@craftycrs]

urge the heartbeat ending got me tearing up

[@GwynethFaeleneThatOneWierdo]

Beautiful! Bravo! This is amazing!

[@SarahPhilipps-kr5zp]

It makes my heart beat too... Incredible, very good work :)

[@jemziel]

this is beautiful, i love your art and djsifj no words

[@SamgirlSpeaks]

That was pretty excellent! You really conveyed his inner mind and strife without any words. (:

[@ameastrid7721]

Cries in every language and way that exists 😫💔

[@TotallySquirrel]

I'm feeling so many emotions right now... holy shit! Thank you for creating this wonderful animatic!!!! ❤

[@jennyatelier_augenstern1180]

Omg you made me cry! Wow! You created an amazing piece right there, I love it!

[@LatestCreatureFeature]

This is soooo good my heart hurts thank you

[@victormachadosilvasantos8567]

I cried seen this!! Its so beautiful!! Do more man!!!

[@naomihollander1711]

that was powerful. I felt this in my soul.

[@selmabm3409]

I watched this when it first came out and I’m so glad to see it get more views everyday. You captured Astarion’s expressions sooo well. And the Oppenheimer music actually fits perfectly with this montage 😭❤️

[@evilhummingbird7786]

IM CRYING THIS WAS AMAZING AAAAAA

[@psykit]

Full goosebumps. This was incredible.

[@long4jimshort4gabriel]

UGHHH THIS IS AMAZING

[@redfennex6209]

Absolutely incredible.

[@animelvr329]

That ending gave me chills all over aaaaaaaaaa I love your art!!

[@ChipperCheek]

AHHH this gave me CHILLS

[@lukalynxeyyy]

This is positively beautiful

[@mirandasalazar8935]

That was so beautiful ❤ I loved it. Please keep doing what you're doing. You just made a subscriber out of me.

[@DarkMartianFighter]

Wow. This is incredible 😮

[@foxytakuart]

It´s just amazing!!!!!

[@maureenbayne]

I am sitting here balling my eyes out. This is so beautiful

[@VincentEdelstein]

A beautiful work of art

[@Windymon]

Holy crap, this was amazing. Beautiful animation and paired with music that gave me all of the emotions.❤❤

[@asiontheartlinxy578]

THIS...this is art...awsome job here