We interviewed the directors of ‘Wish’, who ask our readers to chase their dreams and not put them on pause

The birth of the film that will go down in film history as the production commemorating the 100 years of Disney Studios could be intimidating for any filmmaker, but not for Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthornwho were in charge wishthe animated film that brings together all the magic of Disney on its historic anniversary.

The directors of the film, which can be seen in Ecuador from Thursday, November 23 They spoke with EL UNIVERSO via Zoom in days before the premiere.

Did trying to please Disney fans put any pressure on you in shaping the story?

Chris: I think it was more of an honor to be able to do this and share our love for all Disney films, which are even the reason why we are here and why we wanted to work at this company, because of the legacy of this incredible studio. . More than pressure, it was more enthusiasm and an honor for me.

fawn: Knowing Disney fans, we set a very high standard that we want to meet and exceed to do justice to the 100 years.

How fun it was to hide so much characters and other clues on the tape?

Chris: Once we had the story, because it’s a story, characters and original music… Once we already had that shape and had those sequences in production, we could start adding nods to all that legacy, although we didn’t wild ones. to get in the way of the story we were telling. They’re just beautiful, playful little songs.

Who is your favorite character among all these characters?

Chris: I have a favorite that I know will be very difficult for audiences to find, even if they eventually do.

fawn: It’s a next level challenge (laughs).

Chris: Someone on our team surprised me by including a character that I animated and drew while I was working on it Pocahontas (1995), who is Grandma Willow, and (in wish) she is somewhere in the woods in one of the scenes, although I won’t say which one; but if you look very closely and attentively, she is in the background, in one of the moments in the forest.

fawn: Mine isn’t hard to find, but I like the process of how we got there. And there’s a little bunny in the song I am a star, the big musical number with (Asha’s) animal friends. The animator accepted my suggestion to do something funny.

I loved the moment when Asha confesses that “she wished on a star” and Simon responds, “What? Are you even 5 years old?”

Chris: It makes sense that that reaction comes from Gabo, the cynic of the group. He was the only one who could say something like that. But yes, absolutely, we all actually have 5 years in our hearts, especially everyone in the studio. We are children inside because we love Disney films and we love to convey that happiness and enthusiasm that children feel in films. We want to share all those feelings with the world.

fawn: Some may belittle that we had that childhood dream in each of us, but it is what makes life so wonderful today and makes us believe in something more. And Asha believes so strongly in her wish that by saying it out loud she can even lower a star.

And finally, the film embraces the concept that everyone, people, animals, plants, living things and even inanimate things, are all connected.

Chris: We have done a lot of research, but it is a scientific fact that we are all made of stardust and that this is present in each of us. We do a lot of research into the stars and throw around the idea that we are connected to the stars, and even the lyrics of one song wonder why we always look to the stars for answers. It’s a great question, and I think it’s because we’re connected to them. And then the concept expanded to the fact that we all have star power too.

fawn: Spoiler alert!

Chris: I didn’t say how!

What do you want to see happen with this film when it hits theaters?

fawn: I hope it brings hope and happiness to the people who see it and feel inspired to follow their dreams.

Chris: I loved that answer; I would say the same. But I would like to add that if there is anyone out there who has put his desire on hold because other things in life get in the way, but he has a burning dream that he has always wanted to achieve, I hope that someone who sees the movie ultimately decides to pursue that desire.