‘Arco’ Review: In Charming, Natalie Portman-Produced French Animated Film, a Boy From the Future Must Find His Way Home

by

In Arco, renowned French illustrator Ugo Bienvenu weaves a thoughtful reflection on ecological disaster within the soothing narrative of an enchanting tale centered around youthful camaraderie. This initial film, which made its debut at Cannes as a special screening and boasts Natalie Portman among its producers, follows the journey of a 10-year-old boy (voiced by Oscar Tresanini) who travels through time for the first time. Unfortunately, his maiden voyage goes disastrously wrong, landing him in the year 2075. Here, he encounters a girl his age (Margot Ringard Oldra) who assists him in his quest to return home. Their journey unfolds during a crucial juncture in Earth’s history and serves as an educational experience for both characters, teaching them about the intricacies of nature and the lasting power of strong connections.

Although it’s his debut film, Bienvenu’s fascination with depicting the future and examining how technology impacts humanity is not new. His graphic novel, “System Preference“, which has been translated into multiple languages and will be released in the US this fall, delves into a world where data is valued highly, leading humans to discard significant cultural artifacts for the sake of low-importance digital storage expansion. The story revolves around an archivist who tries to safeguard essential traditions and artwork by transferring the condemned data into the memory of a home robot named Mikki.

In the game world of Arco, I, Mikki – a yellow and black android, step into the scene. Initially, I’m tending to Iris and her little brother Peter while their parents are away at work. As a non-sentient caretaker, I help out by projecting holograms of their parents during meals and bedtime rituals, thanks to some other helpful devices. Alma Jodorowsky and Swann Arlaud lend their voices to both me and the children’s loving parents.

In Iris’ world, technology isn’t too dissimilar to what we have now, but advanced. By the year 2075, humans have delegated numerous tasks to robots and learned to cope with erratic weather conditions using specialized equipment. Whole communities are equipped with transparent domes that respond during heavy downpours or wildfires out of control. Robots monitor streets like police officers, instruct as teachers, and transport mail as postal workers. It’s unclear exactly what roles people continue to fulfill in everyday life.

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in the intricate and vividly realist world crafted by Bienvenu’s talented animation team. Much like the painters of the 19th century, this director paints a future that is not romanticized, but raw and unflinching – a future where robots rule and Earth bears the scars of distress. In many ways, Bienvenu’s work echoes the animations of Hayao Miyazaki; however, his use of bold contours for characters and shapes, along with detailed landscapes, hint at traditional comic book influences. The director skillfully employs a palette of stark colors to infuse Iris’ world with an elegiac mood that is embodied in the game, Arco.

Based on a screenplay co-written by Félix de Givry, the film “Arco” skillfully blends somber visuals with hopeful storylines. The movie begins in a future where the protagonist’s family – his parents and older sister – have come back from a time-traveling expedition. In this world, humans inhabit cloud-based colonies that resemble forest parks. These societies use time travel to gather information about Earth’s past and its potential resources.

Being a teenager who can’t wait for my time-travel privilege at 13, I find myself unable to resist sneaking my sister’s vibrant rainbow cape – our family’s time-traveling artifact. As my kin slumber peacefully within their anti-gravitational pods, the thrill of curiosity overpowers me and I embark on a journey I wasn’t supposed to take. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned, and I find myself waking up in 2075, surrounded by the dense foliage of a forest. That’s when Iris finds me, just as I regain consciousness. A confrontation ensues with some siblings – Frankie (William Lebghil), Dougie (Vincent Macaigne) and Stewie (Louis Garrel) – who have dedicated their lives to proving the existence of beings like myself, the rainbow folk. Their devices guide them towards my location, but Iris manages to deceive them and lead me safely back to her home instead.

In a swift friendship formed by mutual fascination for nature, these two youngsters rapidly connect. Although initially hesitant due to a crucial rule regarding time travel (people from the past should never learn about the future), Arco gradually reveals personal details. He shares stories of his past, such as how he came to inhabit tree houses and admits his mischievous act of stealing his sister’s cape. Furthermore, he imparts knowledge on communicating with birds to Iris, who has a passion for feathered creatures. In return, Iris instructs Arco in adapting to the present time and assists him in his quest to return home.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice the heartwarming bond between Arco and Iris in this film. While she alleviates his loneliness, he seems to inspire her from the future. The close-ups of their emotive faces add depth to the storyline. However, I found myself yearning for a more coherent explanation of the science-fiction aspects, particularly the way time flows in both the past and the future. Later on, the subplot about Mikki translating his memories raises intriguing questions about cultural and historical preservation, but it could have benefited from further development to match the depth of other plotlines.

In an attempt to replicate the ideal weather for Arco’s flight (requiring both rain and sunshine simultaneously), townsfolk are readying themselves against potential wildfires. At the same time, Iris’ acquaintance Clifford, who harbors suspicions about this boy whom Iris presented as a cousin, is trying to uncover what secrets she might be concealing.

In an engaging manner, Bienvenu and de Givry construct a hopeful narrative about climate change, intertwining tales of adolescent camaraderie and solitude. The backdrop of impending ecological catastrophe is subtly depicted through emergency drills and deserted supermarket shelves. This portrayal carries an eerie resonance with modern life, yet much like Claude Barras’ thought-provoking animated film Savages, which debuted at Cannes last year, Arco advocates for a future where humanity thrives. The movie encourages us to take action and combat despondency by emphasizing that the most potent weapon in the hands of younger generations is their creativity.

Read More

2025-05-16 21:54