Arco

In a refreshingly original story written and directed by Ugo Bienvenu and produced by Natalie Portman, the premise is simple but poignant: What if “rainbows are actually time travellers from our future”? Arco, a ten-year-old boy living in the year 2932, decides to travel in time two years before he is allowed—and ends up stranded in the year 2075, meeting Iris, offering a perspective on both the near and far future.

The animation style is immediately reminiscent of the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. And at only 38, Bienvenu, a French director with a background in illustration, seems to be only getting started. His composer collaborator is Arnaud Toulon, and this seems to be his first major film project. Could we be witnessing the beginning of a new composer/director partnership, such as the one enjoyed by Joe Hisaishi and Hayao Miyazaki? While it’s far too early to be certain, the prospect is exciting.

The trailer opens with a classic pairing of deep percussion and bass with plaintive piano, gently assisted by the diegetic rain. This quickly changes tack with the arrival of the titular character—by 0:23, the strings soar with a melodic evocative of the main theme from Princess Mononoke, furthering the comparison to another eco-conscious animated work. At 0:47 an extended dominant chord paired to a montage sequence offers a bit of drama and tension after a largely calm and sweeping soundtrack that complements the sublime spectacle of a far-future world dominated by technology and incontrovertible climate change. Notably, the soundtracks sticks to a classical, symphonic sound, perhaps grounding the audioviewer as a counterpoint to the fantastical scenes unfolding in the visual.

Note that at the one-minute mark with the film’s title card, a subtitle—“a film by Uno Bienvenu”—clearly aims to establish the director as part of the brand, only furthering thoughts of comparison to Miyazaki. They’re inviting it; perhaps they know how just how beloved Ghibli’s films are—and as Miyazaki ages, the world is looking for a cultural successor.

Significantly, a long title is used to share the Western voice casting, which includes big names like Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Flea (yes, that Flea), Natalie Portman (naturally), Mark Ruffalo, and Andy Samberg, whereby Neon takes a page from the Illumination playbook of attaching star talent to enhance the proposition of a visit to the theatre. Though brief, a clear sounding of the orchestral theme paired with a sampler of visual wonder is all Arco needs to make its pitch, leaving us wanting more.

Arco arrives in France on October 22nd, enjoying a wider released November 14th.

— Curtis Perry