Pixar film Elio follows a family’s imperfect intergalactic journey
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In Pixar's Elio, tween Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab, above) is beamed into space and finds himself among representatives from across the galaxy.
PHOTO: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
LOS ANGELES – Oscar-winning American actress Zoe Saldana feels like her new film Elio, from Walt Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios, is a story about the imperfect journey that parents and their children go through.
“I think it’s okay to look at your kids and sort of just not know what to do, because that is a way that you can connect with your children, because half of the time, they don’t know what to do as well,” said the 46-year-old mother of three boys aged eight to 10.
Now showing in Singapore cinemas, the movie follows a lonely 11-year-old boy named Elio Solis (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), who unintentionally becomes the intergalactic ambassador of Earth after being sent to a planet called Communiverse. He must work with alien lifeforms, eventually realising that he is not alone.
Film critics have applauded the latest offering from Pixar, the famed animation studio behind Toy Story (1995) and Finding Nemo (2003).
But Hollywood studios have faced challenges in drawing audiences to theatres for films with original stories. Elio may debut with some of the lowest opening weekend ticket sales of any movie from Pixar, according to industry analysts, with a projected North America box-office opening of around US$25 mllion (S$32 million).
In the movie, Saldana voices Olga Solis, Elio’s aunt who takes care of him, alongside Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, a bulky, worm-like alien warlord, father and ambassador.
American actress Zoe Saldana and her sons at the world premiere of Elio at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on June 10.
PHOTO: AFP
Garrett, 65, who has two children in their mid-20s, noted that Grigon has his own parenting journey in the film that starts off a little rocky.
“There’re so many over-controlling parents, right? That tried to mould their kid into what they had wanted to be or what they think they should be,” the American actor said, referring to Grigon.
Cast member Brad Garrett acts as Lord Grigon, a bulky, worm-like alien warlord, father and ambassador.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The star of sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996 to 2005) said Elio is a movie that speaks to how everyone is unique, and children have their own paths.
American actor Kibreab, 14, echoed this, saying that he believes the film is rooted in families that support one another fully.
“They’re always going to be there for you whenever you need a shoulder to lean on and also if you’re feeling doubt or lonely,” he said.
Cast member Yonas Kibreab believes the film is rooted in families that support one another fully.
PHOTO: REUTERS
For co-director Domee Shi, feeling isolated at a point in her life helped her create the character of Elio.
“This is about the weird kid before they’ve made any friends, when they are just feeling so alone,” said the Canadian film-maker and animator who helmed animated film Turning Red (2022).
Directors Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian at the premiere for Elio in Los Angeles on June 10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I feel like I went on that journey. Definitely at some point in my life as a kid too, I felt like that weird, artsy kid who was the only kid in Toronto who watched anime at some point. But once I went to animation school and I found my people, that’s when I felt like I opened up,” she added. REUTERS
Elio is showing in Singapore cinemas.
