Toronto, Sept 8 – At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024, “The Wild Robot” made its world premiere, offering a thought-provoking look at technology’s impact on nature. The animated film by DreamWorks, based on Peter Brown’s book series, features Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of Roz, a robot stranded on a remote island.
A Balanced View of Technology
Nyong’o, who stars as the film’s protagonist Roz, shared her insights on the film’s exploration of technology. “The Wild Robot” presents both the benefits and dangers of technological advancement. Nyong’o emphasized the film’s focus on the positive potential of technology, saying, “This movie explores both the sinister side of technology and the potential for technology to be on our side.”
Director Chris Sanders, known for “Lilo & Stitch” and “How to Train Your Dragon,” noted the challenge of depicting technology, especially since Brown’s books were written before artificial intelligence became a major topic. Sanders reflected on the balance between excitement and fear surrounding new technologies, stating, “We’ll find a balance. Any emerging technology is at first exciting and a bit frightening, but we eventually figure it out.”
Kindness as a Central Theme
In the film, Roz learns to interact with the island’s animal inhabitants, using kindness as her key to survival. Nyong’o highlighted this aspect, saying, “The message at the heart of the story is that kindness is a superpower.” Roz’s journey underscores her transformation from a programmed machine to a compassionate being, adapting beyond her original design.
Screening Insights and Release
Sanders added that while the book did not explicitly focus on kindness, he wanted to emphasize it in the film. “Kindness became a crucial element I wanted to memorialize on screen,” he said.
“The Wild Robot” will be released in theaters on September 27. The film’s exploration of technology’s dual nature and its emphasis on kindness offer a unique perspective that promises to resonate with audiences.