“Basque animation needs more recognition”

The elves and the trees from the animated movie “Zutik” They have really come a long way. After passing through cinema screens and encouraging children to connect more deeply with nature, the story directed by Iker Álvarez and Haizea Pastor is now nominated for a Goya award.

It is a co-production of Baleuko (Euskal Herria), Tortugastudios (Brazil) and Polar Studio (Mexico), in which EITB participates. After wishing them luck before the gala this Saturday in Valencia, we have spoken with the directors Álvarez and Pastor.

Zorionak for the nomination. Did you expect it?

Iker: Eskerrik asko. Well, there’s always a slim chance of being nominated, but I didn’t think much of it until the end. We had a lot of work.

Iker Alvarez

Let’s hope we have a bit of luck, because Basque animation needs more recognition.

Haizea: Eskerrik asko! Waiting for it… We always had a little hope, but as soon as we received the message… I didn’t believe it!

That a film made for our little ones, and also in Basque, is nominated for the Goya awards is a great recognition.

Have you seen the rest of the nominated films in your category? What did you think?

Iker: I haven’t seen them. Just above, to know what type of production they are, without further ado.

Haizea: Nowadays, with a little one, it’s impossible for me to go to the movies… although I would like to.

I’ve seen the trailers, and there’s a lot of diversity in the movies. It seems important to me that this richness is reflected in the animation, both in terms of the topics that are addressed and the treatment of the images.

How have you imagined the night of February 12?

Iker: We’ll see, I still don’t have it very clear. In any case, that recognition would be positive: we need them here, and if it allows more films to be made, great.

Haizea: Sure, nervous and happy at the same time. Receiving the Goya would be tremendous, of course. But just by living the moment, I will take a lot with me: living the gala, meeting people, nerves…

I think that night we will live a mixture of many feelings, and that will give it a lot of charm.

The script is written between four people, and you have also directed the film between four people. What has been the secret for that teamwork?

Iker: Choral work is common in animated films. It is hard work, with many parts and challenges. Each one of us has brought his strength and his abilities to the table.

There are no secrets, just good humor and hard work. The criteria are never common, but rather coincide little by little, sometimes consciously and most of the time unconsciously, as the project comes to life. He is the boss, that’s the key.

Haizea: Regarding the script, when the directors arrived there was already an accepted story. Then, each one influences that story from their field of knowledge. Each and one of them has brought the best of themselves to the film.

The film conveys an environmental and social message wrapped in a pleasant context. After having passed through theaters, do you think that message has reached the public? What responses have you received?

Iker: The answers in that sense have been good. Ecology is enjoying more and more strength and prestige, and there is no one to stop it. That speech has more and more weight: the years will tell how it has been managed.

Haizea: I think we have conveyed the message of the film well. We have made it for the youngest, so it is a concrete and simple message: on the one hand, love and respect for nature, and on the other, the bittersweet reality that we live with today’s technology.

In this crazy world, we have to act with common sense. We have to teach little boys and girls to be responsible, and I think this film shows very powerful values.

“One more day alive”, “Elkano, lehen mundu bira”, “Orkestra lurtarra”, “Psiconautas”, “Dixie”, “Betizu”, “Olentzero”… Basque animation has had a good harvest in recent years. From your point of view, what state of health would you say Basque animation is in?

Iker: Well, I think he’s not in good health. More aid is needed, there are many Basque professionals working abroad, and, furthermore, animation needs greater prestige.

When it comes to cinema, animation still occupies the last places in terms of prestige, job opportunities, etc. We have to end that. It needs a greater presence in film festivals. Also, young people connect very well with animation; Unfortunately, many older people do not.

Anyway, I think it’s just a matter of time, I’m sure of it. For this reason, it is necessary to bet on animation, since whoever places himself well now will reap the rewards in the coming years. You have to look forward, not back.

Haizea: It’s a very fat question. This is my first serious immersion in the world of animation.

‘Zutik’

Whether or not they are in the Goyo or are animated or not… What movies have caught your attention lately?

Iker: Well, the last thing I’ve seen is Arcane. This is a very powerful animation series made in France. It has been in the first position on Netflix. It is another example of the strength of animation.

There will be more like that, many more.

Haizea: Lately, more than movies I watch series.

Do you have any other project in hand? What are you working on?

Iker: At the moment, I don’t have any projects. There are some that are starting up for this year… Let’s hope that brave projects arrive in Euskal Herria; for example, one that mixes fiction and animation. You have to look forward. Long live the animation!

Haizea: Now we are working on television. We are in the pre-production of the program “Ur Handitan”, which we will start recording soon. Every week, the concerns, questions and debates facing Basque society are taken up and analysed. They are usually issues attached to current social and political events. To do this, the protagonists are interviewed, and their testimonies and stories are shown.