Sahara
Two clans of snakes cohabit in the desert. Beautiful green serpents that live under the shelter of an oasis, protected and venerated by men and venomous snakes that survive in the sand, dust and heat, hunted and killed by the Tuaregs. Here is the story of Ajar, a young venomous serpent, laughed at by his peers because he still has not done his first molt and that of Eva, rebellious princess of the oasis who wants to escape an arranged marriage. These two will meet and fall in love. Alas, Eva will be kidnapped by the Tuaregs and Ajar, accompanied by his best friend, Pitt the Scorpion, will have to cross the ruthless Sahara to save Eva from the terrible fate awaiting her.
The film earned $8.1M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Sahara (2017) exemplifies meticulously timed narrative architecture, characteristic of Pierre Coré's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 26 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ajar the sand viper lives peacefully in the Sahara Desert with his friends, establishing his ordinary world of desert life and community.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when A massive sandstorm strikes the desert, violently separating Ajar from his friends and destroying their peaceful existence.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 21 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Ajar makes the active choice to leave his known territory and embark on a dangerous journey across the desert to find his friends and seek the legendary oasis., moving from reaction to action.
At 43 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Ajar discovers a significant clue about the oasis or reunites with one friend, creating a false victory that the journey is getting easier and success is near., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ajar faces near death from dehydration, extreme heat, or a predator attack, reaching his lowest point where hope seems lost and the quest appears to have failed., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ajar remembers the lessons learned from his friends and journey, realizes that perseverance and friendship give him strength, and finds renewed determination to push forward., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Sahara's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Sahara against these established plot points, we can identify how Pierre Coré utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Sahara within the animation genre.
Pierre Coré's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Pierre Coré films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Sahara represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Pierre Coré filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Pierre Coré analyses, see Belle and Sebastian: Next Generation.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ajar the sand viper lives peacefully in the Sahara Desert with his friends, establishing his ordinary world of desert life and community.
Theme
A character mentions the legendary oasis or paradise, stating that true home is found through the journey and those we meet along the way, introducing the film's theme of friendship and perseverance.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the harsh but beautiful Sahara Desert environment, the community of desert creatures, and Ajar's relationships with his friends Pitt the scorpion and other companions.
Disruption
A massive sandstorm strikes the desert, violently separating Ajar from his friends and destroying their peaceful existence.
Resistance
Ajar searches the aftermath of the sandstorm, debates whether to venture into unknown territory, and struggles with fear versus his loyalty to find his missing friends.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ajar makes the active choice to leave his known territory and embark on a dangerous journey across the desert to find his friends and seek the legendary oasis.
Mirror World
Ajar encounters Eva the monitor lizard or other allies who represent a different perspective on desert survival and friendship, introducing the thematic counterpoint to his isolated quest.
Premise
Ajar explores the vast desert landscape, encounters various creatures, faces obstacles like predators and environmental challenges, and experiences the adventure the audience came to see.
Midpoint
Ajar discovers a significant clue about the oasis or reunites with one friend, creating a false victory that the journey is getting easier and success is near.
Opposition
The desert environment becomes increasingly hostile, predators close in, water and resources become scarce, and Ajar's hope and strength begin to fade as obstacles intensify.
Collapse
Ajar faces near death from dehydration, extreme heat, or a predator attack, reaching his lowest point where hope seems lost and the quest appears to have failed.
Crisis
Ajar lies in despair, processing his losses and contemplating giving up, experiencing his dark night of the soul in the merciless desert.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ajar remembers the lessons learned from his friends and journey, realizes that perseverance and friendship give him strength, and finds renewed determination to push forward.
Synthesis
Ajar makes his final push through the desert, confronts the ultimate challenges, reunites with his friends, and discovers the truth about the oasis or finds their new home together.
Transformation
Ajar and his friends rest together in safety, showing how he has transformed from a naive snake into a courageous leader who understands that home is wherever friends are together.