Pablo Berger (‘Robot Dreams’) explains how details were expanded from the original graphic novel [Exclusive Video Interview] – Gold Derby

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Pablo Berger’s The journey to create “Robot Dreams” began nearly 15 years ago in 2010 when I discovered the original graphic novel. He liked to get his novels without text and graphics so he could share them with his daughter, who had not yet learned to read. “I loved it. It was amazing. It became one of my favorites and I put it back on the shelf in my graphic novel collection. In 2018, I picked up the book while drinking coffee and… “I read it, but this time when I read it to the end, I was deeply moved. I shed tears, and I’ve never experienced anything like this while reading a graphic novel,” he said in a recent interview. told Gold Derby via web chat (Watch the exclusive video interview above).

From there, he knew he had to make this film, even though he had never made an animated project before. Graphics Because his novel had a very simple design, Berger was able to expand on its world, including setting it in his 1980s New York City. Setting the film in Manhattan allowed Berger to pay homage to the decade he spent living there, including several years studying at New York University’s film school. It was especially rewarding to see the reactions of the authors of this book. Sarah Varon, at the Toronto Film Festival. “She hugged me with her tears streaming down her face and said, “That’s amazing. You told the same story, but completely different. ” I’m really proud. I really wanted to preserve the soul and theme, that’s the basic reason I made this film. ”

“Robot’s Dream” features a dog who lives alone in a New York apartment. After seeing an ad for a robot friend, the dog eagerly ordered a robot. After building the robot, the two become best friends and Dog takes the robot to see the city. The subsequent trip to the beach turns out to be dangerous for the robot, and subsequent events could mean the end of its friendship with Dog. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and is scheduled for wide release in the United States later this year.

Director Berger and the filmmaking team were overjoyed to receive an Oscar nomination in January. He also realized that the weight of the accomplishment only became felt long after it was announced. “At that point, you don’t understand what it means. I think of the last five years and the process, and you think of the team, so you can feel this immense happiness. A lot. It comes to me like a flash of light. I think my smile has grown a few inches on each side. I think my mouth is already getting bigger.”