Togetherness can be lived and does not have to be dreamed of – this film wants to bear witness to that.
Foto: Plaion Pictures
Do androids dream of electronic sheep? Philip K. Dick once asked this more cleverly than originally in the title of his 1968 novel, the basis for “Blade Runner” (1982), Ridley Scott’s lesson, which was once again overpaid due to the immense success of the remake “Blade Runner 2047” (2017). brutalist architecture. The Spanish-French animated film “Robot Dreams,” on the other hand, deliberately avoids anything precocious for millions. The brightly colored fable of lonely animal people and machine people is actually designed as a niche product in the format of a silent film musical (without dialogue). His wisdom is constructed in such an accessible way that it requires no aesthetic sleight of hand. Children and adults must understand that love creeps into modern life in different forms and cycles.
What’s special about “Robot Dreams” isn’t necessarily its animation technique. The visual design of the characters and environments is quite conservative. You are reminded of “Family Guy” or the “Simpsons”. The googly eyes and full colors come from the American comic artist Sara Varon, who drew the template “Robot Dreams” as a graphic novel in 2007. For director Pablo Berger, highly decorated with numerous festival awards in his home country of Spain and elsewhere, it is the first animated film ever.
»Robot Dreams« takes place in a dreamed past. In New York City in the 1980s, all lonely beings spend their evenings either watching TV or pursuing so-called hobbies. (Both terms require an explanation today: television was the campfire of the 20th century. It warmed those for whom the hobby, an activity without direct capitalist commitment, had already become too tedious.) A dog named Hund in anthropomorphic Manhattan is introduced the screen is slowly becoming emotionally cold. He sees the other critters holding hands and cuddling while he heats macaroni in the microwave day in and day out. A hobby is needed before general sedation develops into a lobotomy: a robot you can make yourself.
The dog nimbly patches you up and yet has to be very surprised that he has not only built a simple machine, but has also created an equally human-like creature. At least as human as he is. And so the two of them walk through the world hand in hand: dog and robot, friend and friend. Mutual sympathy quickly develops for the differences in the brand, but also for the common view of the world. What kind of relationship the two creatures have for each other – companionship or true love – the film considers unremarkable. In fact, this approach is what is essential and instructive in »Robot Dreams«. He leaves so-called heteronormative and queer dogmas behind and does not preach about living and loving right in a wrong world.
Quite the opposite: When the robot friend finds himself hopelessly stuck on the beach at Coney Island, the terms of their relationship change. Inevitably the cycle of separation, grief and overcoming begins. While the dog is dating an attractive ostrich, the robot is allowed to experience the wonders of birth. Nine months in the sand doesn’t bury all feelings, but life goes on. The fact that a new partner is not the same, that every love is unique but not necessarily eternal, that togetherness has to be lived and not dreamed of – this film wants to bear witness to that. »Robot Dreams« bravely takes a stand against Disney’s princes and princesses, whose languor negates life for all eternity.
»Robot Dreams«, Spain/France 2023. Director and screenplay: Pablo Berger, 103 min., already started
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