In the animated film “Arco” by writer and director Ugo Bienvenu, a unique portrayal of two future scenarios unfolds. The storyline follows a young boy accidentally traveling from the year 2932 to the near future of 2075. In the distant future, the world is devastated by climate disasters and rising sea levels, rendering it almost uninhabitable. Meanwhile, the near future he encounters is facing threats like a massive forest fire on the outskirts of a village, with the residents trying to ignore the impending crisis.
Bienvenu and actor Natalie Portman, who co-produced and starred in the film, see these contrasting futures as reflections of potential paths for humanity. Bienvenu aimed to instill hope in viewers and inspire trust in personal convictions and ideas as catalysts for change. Portman highlighted the duality of optimism and pessimism in the film, emphasizing the importance of not succumbing to fatalistic views of the future.
The film’s success lies in its exploration of solutions without providing a definitive prediction. “Arco” received accolades at the European Film Awards and is a nominee for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. For Bienvenu, the essence of the movie lies in the idea that sometimes, losing can lead to eventual victory. Embracing the notion of “From wrong comes the right,” he views “Arco” as a demonstration of this concept.