while there‘s a httge and epic quest to bring them together in the film. there‘s a small and personal love story right at the centre of it.‘
Stanton originally conceived the HALL-Ii project well before l’ixar became a hottsehold natne. and eagle-eyed viewers can spot the robot‘s microscopic cameo appearances in most l’isar lilms to date. However. it took the success of Finding .\’emo to give Stanton. Macl.ane and l’ixar‘s army of several hundred animators the conlidence to bring WALL-E‘s story to the screen.
‘We're not interested in the specifics of classic sci-fi stories. although we are interested in what makes different parts of classic stories successful. If we like the way a certain story is told. rather than try to copy the device. we try and learn from it. to work out how we can transpose the scenario and find a way to create the satne effect. Andrew is someone who knows that although tnany decisions are democratically made. ultimately filtntnaking is a director-driven process. So he always wants feedback abottt what works or what doesn‘t. and he's happy to change story beats. and add or drop jokes if it makes the film better. The best idea always wins.’
As always with l’ixar. it‘s the details that are crucial. Making WALL-li work on the big screen led l’ixar and MacLane to make the robot’s existence at nuts-and-bolts reality. 'Something we've tried to make a consistent feature in our films is linding the truth in our material. and that applies to the animation in the most specific way imaginable. So. we bttilt a real. fully operational version of WALL-li to make sure that his movements would check out. the way he can fold and unfold himself like a tortoise. or the way his head rolls around.’
And WALL-li‘s trip to the lillil" will also give Macl.ane the chance to do some research for a forthcoming l’ixar feature set in Scotland‘s past. ‘At the moment. I‘m trying to figure out which feature I want to work on next.~ he says . ‘I really want to work on the next 'Iov Story movie. as I‘ve got a certain connection to BU/l Lightycar that I
can‘t deny. I‘m also really tempted to work on another
Pixar project called Near. and there‘s also Bear and the Bow. which is abottt a Scottish princess. So I’m not quite sttre where I‘m going next. but I guess. like WALL-Ii himself. I‘ll figure it all out in the end.~
Cineworld, Sat 28 Jun, 2.15pm, 28 (£6.40). WALL-E will be on general release from Fri 18 Jul.
WIN WALL-E TICKETS AND GOODY BAGS
WALL-E, which stands for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth! class. is the latest
in a long line of unlikely Pixar heroes
‘WALL-E'S NOT A COCKSURE SUPERHERO OR MALE FANTASY FIGURE. HE'S A REALLY DOWN TO EARTH GUY'
We are giving away one family ticket (for four people) to attend the Family Gala screening of WALL-E on Sat 28 June at 2.15pm. followed by a presentation from directing animator Angus MacLane. We also have ten goody bags to give away to lucky runners-up. To enter, just log on to www.list.co.uk/oflers and tell us when the Family Gala screening is? Usual List rules apply.
EDINBUROH INTERNATIONAL
Encounters at the End
of the World
Matter of fact
EIFF programmer Jenny Leask talks Paul Dale through some of the many highlights from this year's Document strand
hen the lidinburgh International Film Festival
opened its doors for the first time in 19-17.
documentary films were the only things on the menu. Much has changed since then. but the MN“ has continued its commitment to the feature documentary form. livery year a team of dedicated programmers pore over liltns from festivals as diverse as Amsterdam‘s IDliA (the biggest documentary festival in the world). and Sundance to bring Scottish audiences a selection of the very best documentary films out there.
Reflecting on this year's selection. lillil" documentary programmer Jenny l.eask says. ‘limmunuel .Iul: War (‘lzi/(l is of particular interest becattse Jal is one of the most charismatic. humbling and inspiring people I've come across in eight years of programming documentaries. A rising hip hop star who fought as a child soldier in the Sudanese (‘ivil War. he has lived through some truly horrifying experiences. and now uses his music to spread understanding and tolerance. The lilm tells his story and accompanies him as he returns to Sudan for the first time in IS years.‘
l.eask's next pick is the most recent work of a true master of the form: ‘Werner l-ler/og‘s Iineozmters at the [5m] oft/2e World is a stunningly beautiful. haunting. weird. hilarious. delightful film. llis inimitable voiceover alone is worth the ticket price. and it also features the most poignant penguin on film.‘
So what‘s her favourite documentary at this year‘s lillil‘”? She pauses as though in pain: ‘l’ve tried. but I can‘t narrow it down to just one — it's like asking someone which of their children is their favourite. So here’s three: Man on ll'ire |see page 25 for preview]. for being spectacular and gripping and joyful: 'l'lzree Miles .Vort/i ofMo/kmn. for making me laugh more than anything else I‘ve seen this year: and To See lfl'm Smiling. for providing insight into an aspect of the Middle liastern conflict that hasn‘t been covered before.’
Leask adds: ‘lt’s great that documentaries are now finding their way into the Gala and British Gala sections of the programme as it means they‘re eligible for the Michael Powell and Standard Life Audience awards as well as the Documentary prize. Last year the audience award went to We Are 'I'ogetlter. a wonderful documentary which has since had a cinema release and raised money for the South African orphanage featured in the lilm.’
For more information and screening times, visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk
19 Jun Ii .Jul 2008 THE LIST 23