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Arco (Me) (Kid)


This is the first feature length film from French writer/director Ugo Bienvenu. It tells the story of futuristic kid, Arco, voiced by Juliano Crue Valdi in the English dub, and Oscar Tresanini in the French original - here I'll explain that I saw the preview of this with the English voice cast, so I'll mention them from now, unless I spy a notable Frenchy. Anyway, Arco is too young to fly to the past like his family do, but like any young ding-a-ling, he decides to chance his arm, and ends up in 2075. This is a more recognisable future for us than Arco's time, as we see climate change writ large on society.


In this time-zone, Arco meets Iris (Margot Ringard Oldra) and her domestic robot, Mikki (voiced by a strange combination of Iris's parents, Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo). Iris wants to help Arco return to his time, but they're thwarted by a missing jewel that he needs in order to travel, as well as a trio of bumbling goons (Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg and Flea), who are tracking the time interloper. Louis Garrel plays one of these clowns in the French version.


The animation is a touch on the Ghibli side, but slightly more colourful. The themes of the film seem to indicate that Bienvenu was raised on a diet of US sci-fi/fantasy, with nods to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Goonies, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and I, Robot. The message is admirable, and it's quite sad but hopeful at the same time, warning us of the planet's destruction while celebrating human kindness and innovation.


I was a bit worried about seeing the US voice dub version but it's quite novel to see an animation film with American voices, but where the tone and style aren't typically sentimental and twee, or goofy and broad. I still think the original French might be the best option (Luna is offering both), but either choice is valid.

Arco is now showing at the Luna and Palace cinemas.

See also:

Hayao Miyazaki loves flying, and the flight scenes in Arco may have been influenced by any number of his Ghibli films. I'd recommend the brilliant Spirited Away (2001) and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984).

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