As a dedicated cinephile, I must confess that David Lowery has undeniably left an indelible mark on my cinematic journey. From the enchanting realm of Middle Earth with Pete’s Dragon to the hauntingly beautiful A Ghost Story, and now, he takes us on a captivating holiday adventure with An Almost Christmas Story.
David Lowery has enchanted audiences with the magical tale of The Green Knight, moved us deeply with A Ghost Story, and created one of the finest live-action adaptations of a Disney animated classic, Pete’s Dragon. Now, this esteemed director is filling our hearts with holiday cheer by creating a new stop-motion Christmas short film, which is inspired by real events. In Hollywood, the phrase “based on a true story” is used frequently. Some movies, like Braveheart, stretch the truth, while films like Hit Man openly acknowledge their fictional elements. However, An Almost Christmas Story doesn’t need to fabricate its history.
During the holiday season, thoughts often turn towards those less fortunate than oneself, as David Lowery shared with Vanity Fair. In a tale titled “An Almost Christmas Story“, a young owl finds itself ensnared in the colossal pine tree set up at Rockefeller Plaza. In an attempt to flee the bustling city, it encounters a lost girl and their ensuing adventure becomes a heartwarming journey as they both strive to find their way back home.
For Lowery, his seasonal empathy isn’t confined to people alone. He added, “I vividly recall coming across a news story and observing the picture of that tiny owl swaddled in an orange cloth, and my immediate thought was, ‘This is the most adorable thing I’ve ever witnessed.’ Yet, upon reflection, you consider the situation: This small owl believed it was secure, in a place where it should feel safe, only to awaken and discover itself in a very perilous setting.
The movie is based on a true story about an owl named Rocky who found itself trapped within the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center four years prior. Starving and attempting to flee from the tree, Rocky caught the attention of an employee’s wife at Rockefeller Center. She took pity on him and cared for him before bringing him to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. Eventually, Rocky was released back into the wild by the center, which documented his release in a touching YouTube video.
‘An Almost Christmas Story’ Is David Lowery’s Second Christmas Film (Kind Of)
For the filmmaker behind “The Green Knight” and “A Ghost Story”, venturing into an animated Christmas short seems unexpected. With producer Alfonso Cuarón (known for “Gravity” and “Disclaimer”) involved, “An Almost Christmas Story” is an unconventional yuletide tale. However, it’s not actually Lowery’s debut Christmas production.
As a cinephile, I’d put forth my interpretation of “The Green Knight” as my second holiday movie this season, given its Christmas theme. Just like how “Die Hard” is considered a Christmas film due to its holiday setting, “The Green Knight” weaves a genre-rich narrative amidst the festivities. However, whether it qualifies as a true Christmas film or not is bound to stir discussions for years to come. Director Lowery, though, sees parallels between “The Green Knight” and “An Almost Christmas Story,” as they both share common thematic threads.
“That is very much about the intrusion of civilization upon nature. And that was intrinsically part of what I really liked: the idea of taking a tree out of its natural environment and bringing it into civilization.”
Titled “Nearly a Christmas Tale,” this heartwarming production features Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly, Jim Gaffigan, Cary Christopher, Mamoudou Athie, and Phil Rosenthal. You can catch it right now on Disney+!
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2024-12-01 21:32