Discover connection and friendship in the vibrant animation, 'Elio'
Image: Supplied.
After working on some of Hollywood's biggest animation productions, Mary Alice Drumm hopes that her producing debut in 'Elio' brings about a connection.
With the highly anticipated Pixar Animation Studios' movie, which is set to be released on Friday, June 20, the American film-maker hopes that this movie brings people from all walks of life together.
'I hope that people go and see the movie and just fall in love with these characters,' she said during a recent interview with 'Independent Media Lifestyle'.
'I joke that I hope that I will be on an aeroplane in two years and I will see a little kid with a Gordon doll, these are just characters we love who are telling us a story about connection.'
'It is a great movie to go and see with kids and it brings families together, and with this cosmic adventure, I hope it leaves a mark with and and it leaves them with something to talk about, which is the importance of family and friendship so that is my hope for the audience.'
The sci-fi adventure centres around Elio, an alien-obsessed young boy who discovers an interplanetary paradise that is home to intelligent life from galaxies far and wide.
But along the way, the youngster is mistaken as Earth's leader, forcing him to form unlikely alliances, overcome a crisis of intergalactic proportions and ensure that he doesn't lose the opportunity to live out his ultimate dream.
Apart from the lovable characters, 'Elio' is enhanced by its star-studded voice cast. This includes the voices of Yonas Kibreab as the lead star, Zoe Saldaña as Elio's aunt, Olga, Remy Edgerly as Glordon, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, Jameela Jamil as Ambassador Questa and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO.
Drumm is thrilled by such an illustrious team.
'It's such a privilege to have worked with such a star studded cast. We have so many amazing actors in this film.'
'Elio' centres around a youngster who is mistaken as Earth's leader, forcing him to form unlikely alliances, overcome a crisis of intergalactic proportions and ensure that he doesn't lose the opportunity to live out his ultimate dream.
Image: Supplied
She added, 'Jameela is so funny and just so warm and personable. There is a fun clip where she dressed up as an octopus, which is fun.'
On Saldaña's involvement in the film, Drumm explained about the Oscar-winning actress: 'Zoe is just amazing. She also brings such real knowledge because she played so many military roles.'
'She is a mom, a film-maker and she plays a key role in the film.'
'You really understand her character's struggle at the beginning and you really just root for her and Elio and I think that's largely due to Zoe's amazing performance.'
Meanwhile, Drumm, who was the associate producer for 'Coco' 'Brave' and 'Cinderella II: Dreams Come True', is proud of what she achieved in the 'Elio' driving seat, alongside the directors Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian and Adrian Molina.
'I feel very proud of all the films I have had the opportunity to work on, particularly this one, being the producer,' she said.
'We just had a wrap party at Pixar where I spoke about making a film everyone is proud of and had a great experience on so this one I think is one of the most beautiful films Pixar have ever made.'
'I feel so proud of all of the work that the crew has done and it's just a movie that I hope that the audience will fall in love with.'
On what drew her to 'Elio', Drumm explained: 'I just love the premise of this idea, I am a big sci-fi fan and it was just such an opportunity to build a subversive world.'
Drumm also deeply resonated with the movie's themes.
'Just to embark on making a different sci-fi movie at Pixar that is really rooted in loneliness was really incredible.
'I am a step mom, I have kids, and I think we are all feeling the effects of the pandemic.'
'The movie shows that you never know when you are going to find a friend and I think that making that first step towards friendship is always scary and I love the metaphor that Elio is making it, he reaches out to Gordon and they become friends and that really brings Elio into himself and I think that's something that we all relate to - finding that best friend.'
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