Robot Dreams (film)
Robot Dreams | |
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Directed by | Pablo Berger |
Screenplay by | Pablo Berger |
Based on | Robot Dreams by Sara Varon |
Produced by | Ibon Cormenzana Ignasi Estapé Sandra Tapia Jérôme Vidal Pablo Berger |
Edited by | Fernando Franco |
Music by | Alfonso de Vilallonga[1] |
Production companies | |
Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
Countries |
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Language | No dialogue |
Budget | €5 million[3] |
Box office | $645,983[4] |
Robot Dreams is a 2023 Spanish-French animated tragicomedy[5] film written and directed by Pablo Berger.[6] It is based on the comic of the same name by Sara Varon.[7] It is about the inseparable friendship between a dog and a robot in Manhattan, New York in the 1980s.[8] The film does not contain any verbal dialogue.[9]
Robot Dreams had its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2023, in the Special Screenings section.[10] It received the award for Best Film in the Contrechamp section of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and it is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.[11]
Plot
In 1980s Manhattan, Dog lives alone. While watching TV, he notices an advertisement for a robot friend and immediately calls to order it. Dog receives Robot in the mail sometime later and assembles him. The two become instant friends as Dog takes Robot out to explore Manhattan. They make their way to Central Park where they involve themselves in a host of activities, notably roller skating to Earth, Wind & Fire's "September". Over the course of the summer, the two become inseparable friends.
Near the end of summer, Dog takes Robot to the beach. After a long day of playing in the water, the pair falls asleep on the beach. Upon waking up well after all the other visitors have left, the pair realize that the water has caused Robot to rust in place. Unable to move Robot, a disheartened Dog is forced to head home for the night. Dog returns to the beach the following day to discover that the beach has been closed until June 1 the following year, with a large barbed wire fence constructed which prevents him from reaching Robot. After being denied access to the beach by the city, Dog tries to illegally break past the fence. However, he is caught by police and is arrested. Afterwards, a disheartened Dog relents to wait until June 1 to go back and rescue Robot, placing a note on his refrigerator as a constant reminder.
Sometime later, a trio of rabbits comes across Robot on the beach. They give him a drink that fixes him and allows him to leave the beach. He returns to Dog’s apartment only for it to be revealed that this was all a fantasy of Robot’s. In reality, the rabbits chop off one of Robot’s legs and remove one of its toes to fix their broken boat. They discard the leg and leave Robot alone on the beach once again. Meanwhile, Dog spends Halloween alone.
Winter arrives as snow begins to fall across the city and the beach. After having a dream of escaping the snow and returning home to find Dog having replaced him with a new robot, Robot becomes frozen in ice. Meanwhile, Dog goes to the Catskills to meet new friends after seeing a newspaper advertisement. This only leads to him breaking his arm in a sledding accident following a conflict with a pair of anteaters. As winter continues, Robot has another dream of returning home through a world inspired by The Wizard of Oz. Dog meets a magical snowman who leads him to a bowling alley. Dog bowls poorly but finds a new friend in the snowman; only for this to be revealed as a dream.
Following the end of winter, Robot befriends a bird who winds up building a nest next to his arm. The bird lays three eggs that hatch, the youngest child instantly bonding with Robot. The bird’s three children grow over a period of time with the youngest remaining the most attached to Robot. When the time comes for the birds to leave, the youngest is the most hesitant to leave Robot; but they ultimately relent and follow after their family following encouragement from Robot. Dog, meanwhile, finds a new friend in Duck during a kite outing and the pair go fishing sometime later. Duck suddenly moves to Europe afterwards, leaving Dog alone yet again.
A monkey sneaks onto the beach and happens upon a buried Robot with help from his metal detector. The monkey takes Robot to a junkyard to sell him. The alligator owner and his son promptly chuck Robot into the pile, where he is promptly broken into different pieces and shuts off. When June 1 finally arrives soon after, Dog returns to the beach but is only able to find Robot’s discarded severed leg. He is kicked off the beach after spending the whole day digging. A saddened Dog spends the night laying in bed with Robot’s leg.
A raccoon named Rascal visits the junkyard sometime later and discovers Robot’s head and remaining limbs. He takes the parts home and, following his interest in building robots on his own, rebuilds Robot with a giant radio as a new body. Robot turns back on, seemingly with no memory of his time with Dog. Meanwhile, Dog goes to a robot store and buys a new robot named Tin. Over the course of the summer, Robot and Rascal form a close friendship as do Dog and Tin. Dog and Tin go to the beach and, learning from his past mistakes, Dog coats Tin with oil spray and keeps him out of the water.
Later, while getting ketchup for a rooftop lunch with Rascal, Robot looks out and sees Dog and Tin walking down the sidewalk. Robot regains all his memories of his time with Dog. Racing out of the building and down the street, Robot manages to catch Dog and reunite with him. The sudden appearance of Rascal reveals that the reunion was yet another fantasy of Robot’s. Instead of chasing after Dog, Robot uses his radio body to play “September”. Dog hears the song echo down and the pair (unbeknownst to Dog) dance together to the song for the final time. Dog sees a reflection of Robot in a window and Robot promptly hides from view. Robot contemplates revealing himself. However, realizing that he and Dog have found meaningful new relationships following their separation, Robot continues to hide and lets Dog continue on with Tin. Tin notices Dog’s sadness and promptly cheers him up, the two dancing down the street side by side. Robot then returns to Rascal and the two dance together on the roof as the movie ends.
Production
The animation process began in mid-June 2021 in Madrid, Spain and then moved to the Iruñea studios.[12]
Release
Festivals
Robot Dreams had its world premiere on May 21, 2023, in the Special Screenings section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival,[13] then screened on June 12, 2023, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival,[14] on July 23, 2023, at the New Zealand International Film Festival[15] and on August 14, 2023, at the 29th Sarajevo Film Festival.[16] It was screened on September 7, 2023, at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival[17] and in October 2023 at the 56th Sitges Film Festival.[18]
Theatrical
It was for its commercialy released on December 6, 2023, in Spanish theaters[19] to then expand to the French market on December 27, 2023.[20] Neon acquired the distribution rights to release in North American territory.[21][22]
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 27 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10.[23] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 81 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "universal acclaim" reviews.[24]
Paula Arantzazu Ruiz of Cinemanía rated the film 5 out of 5 stars, deeming [the relationship between] DOG and ROBOT to be the "most amazing and beautiful friendship of the year".[25]
Top ten lists
The film appeared on a number of critics' top ten lists of the best Spanish films of 2023:
- 4th — El Periódico de Catalunya (critics)[26]
- 5th — El Español (Series & Más consensus)[27]
- 6th — El Cultural (critics)[28]
- 6th — El Mundo (Luis Martínez)[29]
- 7th — Mondosonoro (consensus)[30]
Accolades
Notes
See also
References
- ^ "Alfonso Vilallonga para la cinta de animación Robot Dreams". AsturScore (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Director Pablo Berger Makes Animation Debut with 'Robot Dreams'". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
{{cite web}}
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timestamp mismatch; 2023-12-10 suggested (help) - ^ "'Robot Dreams' comienza su producción siguiendo los principios del cine de Pablo Berger: "humor, emoción y un exquisito lenguaje cinematográfico"". Audiovisual451 (in Spanish). 2021-07-14. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Robot Dreams". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
- ^ Jiménez, Jesús (2021-10-03). "Pablo Berger Me he pasado a la animación porque me enamoré de Robot Dreams". RTVE.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "PROYECTOS: El filme ROBOT DREAMS de Pablo Berger (apoyo MEDIA de desarrollo de contenido) presenta su teaser tráiler". www.oficinamediaespana.eu (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ Jiménez, Jesús (2022-05-11). "'Robot Dreams', el cómic de Sara Varon que Pablo Berger llevará a los cines". RTVE.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Primer avance de 'Robot Dreams', la primera película de animación de Pablo Berger" (in Spanish). 2023-07-21. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Fun Teaser Trailer for Dialogue-Free Animated 'Robot Dreams' Movie | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Leffler, Rebecca. "Elle Driver sells out worldwide on 'Robot Dreams' following Cannes premiere (exclusive)". Screen. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "'Chicken For Linda!', 'Robot Dreams', '27' se llevan los máximos honores en el Festival de Annecy 2023". CafeToons (in Spanish). 2023-06-18. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Pablo Berger inicia la producción del filme animado "Robot Dreams"". GARA (in Spanish). 2021-07-15. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Robot Dreams: Pablo Berger's adaptation presented in a special children's screening at Cannes". www.sortiraparis.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "México invitado y animación española en competición en el Festival de Annecy". infobae (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ Whānau Mārama: Robot Dreams, archived from the original on 2023-08-18, retrieved 2023-08-18
- ^ "Introducing the Summer Screen Programme of the 29th Sarajevo Film Festival". Sarajevo Times. 2023-07-27. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Robot Dreams". TIFF. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Robot Dreams confirmada en la programación de Sitges 2023". Radix (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "La aclamada película "Robot Dreams" llegará a los cines de España este diciembre - TVLaint". www.tvlaint.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Les line-ups s'ajustent chez les distributeurs - Boxoffice Pro". 2023-08-18. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ Saperstein, Pat (2023-05-17). "Neon Makes First Cannes Acquisition With Pablo Berger's Animated 'Robot Dreams'". Variety. Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (2023-05-17). "Neon Acquires Pablo Berger's Animated Feature 'Robot Dreams' Ahead Of Cannes Bow". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2023-07-01. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Robot Dreams". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ "Robot Dreams". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ Ruiz, Paula Arantzazu (4 December 2023). "Crítica de 'Robot Dreams': un adorable relato sobre la importancia de la amistad". Cinemanía. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023 – via 20minutos.es.
- ^ Casas, Quim (22 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023". El Periódico de Catalunya. Prensa Ibérica.
- ^ Prieto, Belén; Morillo, Valentina (24 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023". Series & Más – via El Español.
- ^ "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023, el año de 'Cerrar los ojos'". El Cultural. 21 December 2023 – via El Español.
- ^ Martínez, Luis (21 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023, de 'Zinzindurrunkarratz' a 'La mesita del comedor'". El Mundo.
- ^ "Las mejores películas nacionales de 2023". Mondosonoro. 26 December 2023.
- ^ Pérez, David (2023-06-19). "'Robot Dreams' recibe el Gran Premio Contrechamp en el Festival de Annecy". No es cine todo lo que reluce (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "56th Edition Award Winners". Sitges Film Festival. 2023-06-19. Archived from the original on 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
- ^ "Nominations Best Children's Film, Best Dutch Children's Film and Youth Jury Awards 2023". Cinekid.
- ^ "Winners Cinekid Awards 2023". Cinekid.
- ^ "La española "Robot Dreams", de Pablo Berger, premio a la mejor animación europea". La Vanguardia. 2023-12-09.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (December 10, 2023). "2023 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC): 'The Holdovers' Wins Best Film, Actor, Supporting Actress, Screenplay". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (December 10, 2023). "'The Zone of Interest' Wins Best Picture at Los Angeles Film Critics Awards, Four Women Take Acting Prizes (Full Winners List)". Variety. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) Nominations: 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' 'Oppenheimer,' 'Poor Things' Lead with 10 Each". Awards Watch. 2023-12-08.
- ^ "Palmarés completo de los Premios Forqué 2023: '20.000 especies de abejas' y 'La Mesías' lideran la apertura de la temporada". Cinemanía. 17 December 2023 – via 20minutos.es.
- ^ Anderson, Eric. "2023 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". awardswatch.com. AwardsWatch. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (17 December 2023). "'Zone of Interest' Named Best Picture of 2023 by Toronto Film Critics Association". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Rogers, Nick (December 12, 2023). "Nominations Announced for the 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association Awards". Midwest Film Journal. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 17, 2023). "The 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "2023 San Diego Film Critics Society Winners". San Diego Film Critics Society. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (December 13, 2023). "Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Nominations". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 5, 2024). "The 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (December 23, 2023). "Nevada Film Critics Society (NFCS) Awards: Oppenheimer, Bradley Cooper, Julianne Moore". AwardsWatch. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ Darling, Cary (January 9, 2024). "'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' lead Houston Film Critics Society's nominations". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 17, 2024). "The 2023 Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ "Consulta aquí la lista de ganadores de los Premios Feroz 2024". hola.com. 26 January 2024.
- ^ "Los Premios Carmen dan a conocer desde Huelva todos los nominados de su tercera edición". Huelva24. Grupo Vocento. 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Palmarés completo de la III edición de los Premios Carmen del Cine andaluz". eldiario.es. 4 February 2024.
- ^ "79 MEDALLAS CEC, CONOCE A LOS NOMINADOS". Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos. 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Conoce a los Ganadores de las #79MedallasCEC". Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos. 5 February 2024.
- ^ Oteo, Jana (5 February 2024). "Premios Gaudí 2024: Lista completa de los ganadores". La Razón.
- ^ Cline, Rich (20 December 2023). "'All of Us Strangers' and 'Oppenheimer' lead CC Film Awards Nominations". London Film Critics' Circle. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
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External links
- 2023 films
- 2020s French films
- 2020s Spanish films
- 2023 animated films
- 2023 comedy-drama films
- Animated films about dogs
- Animated films about friendship
- Animated films based on American comics
- Animated films set in Manhattan
- Animated films set in the 1980s
- Animated films without speech
- Arcadia Motion Pictures films
- French animated feature films
- French comedy-drama films
- Neon (company) films
- Robot films
- Spanish animated feature films
- Spanish comedy-drama films
- European Film Awards winners (films)
- Annecy Cristal-winning films
- Best Animated Film Goya Award winners