Directors for ‘Elemental,’ ‘Spider-Man’ and More Oscar Noms on Why Serious Themes Shine in Animation
variety.comKaren Idelson A boyhood spent with a magical, symbolic bird. Lovers made of opposing elements. A far-flung journey across multiple universes.
Knights questing to prove innocence and justice. The inner life of a robotic being. It would be challenging to think of a year in which more diverse, deeply personal, and ambitious films were nommed for best animated feature.
The filmmakers behind each film arrived at their specific storytelling themes and stylistic approach through their own experiences and influences. “I don’t know who I would be and how this film would be different if I hadn’t lost my parents while making this movie,” says Pete Sohn, helmer of “Elemental.” “The beginning of the film is really my parents’ story of immigrating to this country in search of a better life.
And the differences you have seen between the main characters are born out of what I went through falling in love with someone who was outside of my culture.” It was Sohn’s mother who loved films and introduced him to new movies at every opportunity.
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