This nugget of animation will make you wonder and wonder: Can you wink at my robot friend?

After touring festivals in recent months, from Toronto to Annecy, where it was awarded the Grand Prix Contrechamp, via Bucheon in South Korea, not forgetting a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival, the animated film My Robot Friend has just been released in cinemas. at the end of December. A wonderful surprise, both gentle and overwhelming, that completes this year 2023 in style!

In a world populated by animals, Doug is a New York dog, unfortunately, a prey to loneliness, which weighs him down. One day, he decides to create a robot with a simple goal, a friend. It was love at first sight between two companions who quickly became inseparable. One summer night, the dog is unfortunately forced to abandon the robot on the beach. Will two friends see each other one day?

An excellent animated gem from Pablo Berger, a first foray into the genre, My Robot Friend transports us to New York City in the 80s, where the twin towers of the World Trade Center still stand at the foot of Manhattan. Without dialogue, the feature film multiplies references, some of which speak to the most people, and others to the most connoisseurs.

Getting to know the streets of New York

Based on the Sarah Varone comic of the same title Robot Dreams, this poignant film that highlights the importance and fragility of friendship is a true declaration of love for the famous metropolis nicknamed the Big Apple. The director knows this well because he lived there in the 90s before meeting his wife there.

On screen, it captures a city that couldn’t be more alive and vibrant, and its many vantage points, from the top of the Empire State Building to the paths of Central Park. “In the comics, New York is the backdrop. I wanted to make a character out of him in my own way. This is one of the lessons I’ve learned from Studio Ghibli films: characters with simple characteristics but very detailed settings. Pablo Berger explains.

On the streets of New York and in the apartment of his hero, the director also takes the opportunity to kiss some everyday objects, such as MB puzzles with their recognizable logo, memory game colorful Simon and Froot Loops cereal, popular. Young Americans.

The dog, the hero of the film

However, the most attentive viewers will be delighted by the cinematic references, but not only that. Thus, a poster of the French film Yoyo adorns the living room wall of a dog who is a movie buff himself. “I immediately thought of a silent film, even if Yoyo is not completely silent, but it is also a film written in pictures. Pierre Etaix also applies Jacques TattAnd this poster is great, this graphic smile that contrasts so well with the sadness of the dog. “ The director confides.

Among his other inspirations, the filmmaker cites Les Triplettes de Belleville, Cadet d’eau Douce and Lonesome Paul Fechos. So many great films that fuel this brilliant ode to friendship, which also plays a big part in the music, especially the title track. September From earth, wind and fire, which you will later find difficult to distinguish from a feature film.

All eye-catching, we won’t mention all of them so as not to spoil your enjoyment, My Robot Friend will delight fans of the 7th art and casual viewers with its universal story that will not leave anyone indifferent. . See it in theaters today.