In the animated film “Arco” by writer and director Ugo Bienvenu, a unique portrayal of the future unfolds, presenting two distinct visions. The storyline of the French movie unfolds across two different eras, following a young boy who accidentally travels back from the futuristic world of 2932 to the near future of 2075.
In the distant future depicted in the film, the world is devastated by climate disasters and rising sea levels, rendering it largely uninhabitable despite its remaining beauty captured through Bienvenu’s captivating 2D art style. Upon his arrival in the near future, the boy encounters a more familiar yet threatened world, with a massive forest fire encroaching upon the village he finds himself in while its inhabitants avoid confronting the impending environmental changes.
For Bienvenu and co-producer Natalie Portman, who also stars in the film, these contrasting perspectives symbolize potential stages of humanity’s future. Bienvenu expressed his intention to inspire the new generation and encourage reliance on inner strength and creative ideas to navigate challenges. Portman emphasized the duality of optimism and pessimism depicted in the film, highlighting the importance of avoiding fixed expectations about the future and embracing imagination and innovation as tools for shaping a better tomorrow.
“Arco” has garnered critical acclaim, winning the best animated feature award at the European Film Awards and receiving a nomination in the same category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. However, for Bienvenu, the essence of the film lies not in achieving unequivocal success but in the underlying message that sometimes embracing losses can lead to eventual victories. The film embodies the concept of finding truth through adversity, as Bienvenu reflects on the notion that from mistakes, the path to correctness can emerge.
