Natalie Portman and animator Ugo Bienvenue's latest collaboration, "Arco," aims to inspire a brighter future by exploring the power of imagination. The film follows a young boy from 2932 as he travels through time and forms an unlikely bond with a lonely girl in 2075, highlighting themes of hope, resilience, and the importance of remembrance.
In an interview, Portman expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating that "art and activism come from the same place." Bienvenue added that animation can be a powerful tool for storytelling, emphasizing the need to push boundaries and aim higher in his work. Portman's production company, MountainA, joined forces with French producing partner Sophie Mas to bring this unique vision to life.
Bienvenue credited his own creative journey during the 2020 lockdown as the catalyst for "Arco," drawing inspiration from a child in a more carefree future who is sent back in time. He collaborated closely with writer Felix de Givry, and together they crafted the film's distinctive animation style, blending influences from classic children's literature and science fiction.
"Arco" has generated significant buzz at festivals, including its premiere at Cannes, where it won top prize at the Annecy Animation Festival. The film has also received three European Film Award nominations and continues to screen at various events.
The writers imagined two distinct futures for their story: a utopian 2932 and a more troubled 2075. However, the project's release coincided with increasingly dire environmental warnings, and screenings have sparked conversations about climate instability and technology's role in healing the Earth.
When shown "Arco" to her children, Portman reported a heartwarming response, sparking meaningful discussions between them about parental roles, technological advancements, and the importance of preserving the planet. The film has been hailed as an ambitious and imaginative work that embodies the creators' intention to inspire viewers to envision a brighter future.
As "Arco" continues its award-winning journey, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and collaboration between artists from diverse backgrounds.
In an interview, Portman expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating that "art and activism come from the same place." Bienvenue added that animation can be a powerful tool for storytelling, emphasizing the need to push boundaries and aim higher in his work. Portman's production company, MountainA, joined forces with French producing partner Sophie Mas to bring this unique vision to life.
Bienvenue credited his own creative journey during the 2020 lockdown as the catalyst for "Arco," drawing inspiration from a child in a more carefree future who is sent back in time. He collaborated closely with writer Felix de Givry, and together they crafted the film's distinctive animation style, blending influences from classic children's literature and science fiction.
"Arco" has generated significant buzz at festivals, including its premiere at Cannes, where it won top prize at the Annecy Animation Festival. The film has also received three European Film Award nominations and continues to screen at various events.
The writers imagined two distinct futures for their story: a utopian 2932 and a more troubled 2075. However, the project's release coincided with increasingly dire environmental warnings, and screenings have sparked conversations about climate instability and technology's role in healing the Earth.
When shown "Arco" to her children, Portman reported a heartwarming response, sparking meaningful discussions between them about parental roles, technological advancements, and the importance of preserving the planet. The film has been hailed as an ambitious and imaginative work that embodies the creators' intention to inspire viewers to envision a brighter future.
As "Arco" continues its award-winning journey, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and collaboration between artists from diverse backgrounds.
I'm literally so hyped for this film! As someone who's been a fan of Natalie Portman since Forever 
, I was already stoked when I saw her name attached to this project. And now that it's out, I can honestly say it's a game-changer. The animation style is insane 
and the story is so beautifully crafted. It's like... you get these two vastly different worlds, one where everything's perfect and another where humanity's really struggling... but in between, there's this super relatable connection that makes you go "awww, feel all the feels". 
The way Ugo Bienvenue used animation to tell this story is pure genius 
And can we talk about how cool it is that Natalie Portman got her kids involved? That's like... the ultimate validation of its impact. I'm low-key obsessed with this film and I know everyone should see it ASAP 
! I love how Natalie Portman and Ugo Bienvenue are using animation to inspire hope and resilience in our youth. It's so cool to see them pushing boundaries with their storytelling and collaborating with talented people from different backgrounds. 
The fact that this film sparked conversations about climate stability and tech's role in healing the Earth is a major win for me! 
I'm not gonna lie, it made me think of my own kids and how we need to start teaching them about taking care of our planet ASAP! 
, and I love how it's sparking conversations about climate instability and tech's role in healing the Earth 
. Can't wait to see where this project goes next!
. I mean, they're not just warning us about climate change and all that, but also showing us a brighter future where we've fixed all the problems 
. It's like, can't we just imagine it already? 
And then Portman says something so wise - "art and activism come from the same place" 
. I think our politicians should be more like Natalie Portman, using their platforms to inspire change instead of just talking about it 
. And what's with all these European Film Awards nominations? It's like they're trying to distract us from the real issues at hand 