STACK #198 Apr 2021

FILM FEATURE

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Pete Docter. “So, when he’s offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with one of the greats, Joe feels he’s reached the top of the mountain.” Unfortunately, things don’t go to plan and one small misstep takes him from the streets of NewYork to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls acquire certain traits prior to heading to Earth. “In our story, everyone is born with a soul,” explains Docter. “And those souls don’t just show up unprepared, they’re trained and given personality and interests.” When Joe lands in this dimension, he feels like he doesn’t belong there. Determined to return to his life, he teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As a white guy, whose Pixar credits include Up , Monsters, Inc. , Inside Out and WALL•E , Docter knew he could never truly tackle this story without help, enlisting African American playwright Kemp Powers as both co-writer and co-director. Picking up the reins of the story, Powers tell us, “Sometimes souls have a little trouble finding that special spark to earn their way to Earth. The counselors at The Great Before call on mentors to help inspire these souls – extraordinary historical people like Abraham Lincoln. “This has worked for every single soul except 22, who’s a bit like a petulant pre-teen, who has no desire to go to Earth.” Foxx’s young daughter proved his greatest cheerleader when he landed the role of Joe. ”She was 10 when she found out I was going to be a Pixar character and said, ‘Dad, you made it, you’re finally famous,” laughs the Oscar-winner. “And she was right because being in a Disney/Pixar film is something, as an actor, you always hope to get that

• Soul is out now

In Disney/Pixar’s Soul , Jamie Foxx andTina Fey make it a breeze for any parent struggling to explain to their kids such heavy topics as the meaning of life and what it means to have a soul. Words Gill Pringle YOU GOTTA HAVE SOUL

“P ixar always strives to reach into big topics in a way that most family films don’t,” says Tina Fey. “With Soul , we’re able to explore the idea of personality and spirit and purpose in life through the eyes of relatable, funny characters in really bizarre environments that are hysterically funny. It’s a brand of creative comedy you just won’t find anywhere else.” Pixar’s 23rd film and the first to feature a black lead, with Jamie Foxx voicing the animated film’s main character, Joe Gardner, Soul arrives at a fortuitous moment, carrying a timely message of rebirth – its title both an homage to soul and jazz and also the

soul we trust is within us all. “What is it that makes you…YOU?” asks the film, which introduces Joe Gardner (Foxx), a middle-school band teacher with a passion for jazz. “Joe wants more than anything to become a professional jazz pianist,” says co-director

opportunity. And also to get to be the first African American lead in a Pixar film – that’s a high mark.” The experience, he says, was inspiring, “I was always a glass-half- full type of guy, but this film filled my glass to the rim with optimism and to enjoy the moment. “We’re in a challenging time when it comes to humanity, so holding on to our joy is very important and this film is a beautiful gift which allows us to reach for the joy in all of us, because it’s so desperately needed.” Fey agrees. “Joe’s journey is a real reminder that your life is taking place every day; it’s not something that you’re gonna get to once you’re finally ready; or once you finally get some external confirmation that you’ve made it. So, it’s a beautiful reminder, especially during this crazy time, to just try to take in every moment of your day – quiet moments,

FURTHER VIEWING

simple experiences – and let that bring you as much joy in life as great success,” she says.

24 APRIL 2021

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