The title is taken from maritime folklore about a whale that’s been labeled the “loneliest whale on the planet” because he can only emit sounds at 52 Hertz, a frequency that no other whale can hear. It’s believed that “Whale 52,” as he’s known, travels the oceans of the world desperately searching for other whales like himself. Some believers even suggest that the sounds he makes are cries for help. Animated by two-time Oscar® nominee Bill Plympton, Whale 52 tells the story of Enam, a third-grade student who's selectively mute. When his school assigns him to Mr. Kaufman, a lonely 80-year-old volunteer who’s mourning the death of his male partner, Enam and Mr. Kaufman embark on a poignant journey by means of a magical journal which enables them to hear – and heal – each other’s silent cries.