The latest Disney and PIXAR animation, Luca , which has turned out to be one of the most watched films in theaters in 2021, will debut on DVD on October 27.
The action of Luca animation takes place in a beautiful coastal town on the Italian Riviera. Full of extraordinary adventures, this film tells the story of two friends growing up. Together, the boys experience an unforgettable summer time spent on endless scooter rides and savoring ice cream. However, their carefree fun can be spoiled at any moment by the disclosure of a deeply hidden secret. They are both sea monsters from another world, located just below the surface of the water.
Luca is a shy, polite, introverted, and rules-abiding kid with a secret desire. He wants to see the human world and learn everything he can about it, says screenwriter Jesse Andrews. ” But he has been told all his life that sea monsters should not come above the surface, where all the interesting things seem to be happening to a boy, ” he explains.
No wonder Luca is fascinated by everything human. His curiosity is especially aroused when he discovers objects in the water that got there from the surface. Luca is a young, imaginative kid, so when he meets Alberto who has real knowledge of these objects, he finds it incredibly intriguing, ‘he adds.
Alberto is a sea monster that dared to come to the surface, earning Luca’s great respect. But before he can respect him so much, the boy must first shake off his first shock. It turns out that sea monsters can change into people …
Alberto literally pulls Luka out of the water and we can see for ourselves that sea monsters have the magical ability to assume human form when they are dry , says director Enrico Casarosa. ” We were inspired by sea creatures like octopuses that can camouflage themselves and change their appearance, ” he continues.
Luca’s film was directed by Oscar nominee Enrico Casaros, who at the beginning of production decided that the film should portray the world from the point of view of 13-year-old Luka. The seaside Italian scenery where the boys experience their great adventure has been created in a stunning painterly style. Casarosa, who spent his childhood there, watched over the image of Italy presented in the film.
In order to understand and assimilate well some of the characteristics of the Italian coast that Casarosa hoped to introduce into the film, members of the production team traveled to Europe on two research trips.
We visited many different cities – recalls the director. – The team had to feel the textures, light, water, age and flavors. Trying food was an extremely important part of the trip – he says.
We visited places Enrico used to go to as a child. We watched him climb a 30-meter rock and dive. We were shocked because we realized that he had been doing it since we were a child. This extra layer of memories and nostalgia really highlights his love for this place. Besides, of course, we had to meet people from the region: fishermen, local people. It was very inspiring and gave us a lot of material to work with , says set designer Daniela Strijleva.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in Genoa – a port city on the Italian Riviera – says the director. – It is a very specific coast because it is really steep – the mountains rise out of the ocean. The towns are as picturesque as if time stood there. I always imagined them as little monsters coming out of the water , recalls Casarosa.
Hence the sea monsters. Though, to be fair, they’re rather underwater creatures, because the creatures in “Luka” aren’t too scary. The creators were inspired by the images of sea creatures they found on old maps from the Renaissance period, as well as scientific illustrations of fish from the region, as well as Japanese dragons and snakes. The artists created sea monsters that were believable, appealing and, importantly, expressive, as the story is based on Luca and Alberto’s developing relationship.
According to the director, the action of the film takes place more or less at the turn of the 1950s and 1960s. The aim of the creators, however, was to give it a timeless character. So the filmmakers immersed themselves in Italian culture to capture this world and recreate it on the screen.
I have always felt that there is something beautiful in Italy’s Golden Age in the 1950s and 1960s. The cinema and music of those times are cult and unique , says the director.
It’s such an evocative, beautiful, romantic and timeless period – agrees set designer Daniela Strijleva. – This mood fit our story very well. Not only did I want to know more about this time in history, but I was also drawn to the charming narrative about this place and the era that Enrico introduced to us, ‘he adds.
Both the world and the Polish premiere of the film Luca in theaters took place on June 18, 2021. This is one of the most watched films in Poland this year! Almost 800,000 thousand viewers watched it. October 27 will be released on DVD.
