Arco - IFFDAY

Official selection

AdventureComing of AgeSF/FantasyEnvironment/NatureAnimation

Ugo Bienvenu, a famous French graphic novel artist who worked on Disney′s Ant-Man series, now presents a sensuous and beautiful science fiction animation. Reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki′s perspective on nature, Arco is filled with a message of hope for us all. Actress Natalie Portman, here credited as a producer, has stated that she was deeply moved by the young director′s delicate vision and positive message. In the year 2075, nature has become too dangerous, and children live inside a dome, raised by robots without parents. One day, ten-year-old Iris discovers a ray of hope when she meets Arco, a boy her age and says he can fly through the sky on a rainbow. The friendship with a friend who came from the sky, a helpful robot named Mikki, and their adventure escaping the control of adults are naturally reminiscent of Steven Spielberg′s E.T. (1982). Arco is not only an exciting and delightful adventure but also beautifully and movingly depicts a future where time travel is possible and everyone lives peacefully on a platform above a vast forest.

Programme note by SEO Seunghee