The North News
Chandigarh, June 12
At a time when the world feels increasingly uncertain, Disney Pixar’s Elio arrives with a quiet but powerful reminder: hope and change often begin with the youngest among us.
The animated sci-fi adventure — which had its Los Angeles premiere recently — follows an 11-year-old boy who finds himself unexpectedly appointed as Earth’s ambassador to outer space. But Elio is more than just a space story; it’s a coming-of-age tale rooted in the universal search for belonging — especially in a world that can sometimes feel alien.
Co-director Madeline Sharafian shared how the emotional arc of Elio mirrors the current mood of many young people today.
“I think a lot of people in the world can relate to where Elio is at the beginning of the film, where he has a very pessimistic view of Earth, which I think sometimes we’re all feeling,” she said.
As Elio journeys through the universe and meets otherworldly beings, his perspective shifts — and the audience is taken along for that transformation.
“He changes his view of Earth a little bit, so by the end of the film there’s a little bit more hope,” Sharafian added. “Even if we can give the audience a touch of that, I think that would be worth it — especially right now.”
Jameela Jamil, who lends her voice to the character of Ambassador Questa, echoed the film’s deeper message of empowerment and resilience.
“We need hope, because the world is a dumpster fire right now and we need young people to remember that they are capable of great things,” she said at the premiere.
For Jameela, Elio is more than a fun animated film — it’s a reminder that kids don’t need to wait to grow up to make a difference.
“People are fighting back and this film inspires young people to take it into their own hands and to not wait to be a famous politician or actor or celebrity.”
“I want children to have hope and remember that they’ve got potential that is unrealised yet,” she added.
Elio stars Yonas Kibreab as the wide-eyed title character, with Zoe Saldaña playing his no-nonsense aunt. The voice cast also includes Brad Garrett, Dylan Gilmer, and Naomi Watanabe, among others.
Disney Pixar’s Elio hits Indian theatres on June 20, releasing in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
