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Is Pixar’s SOUL Too Earnest for a Global Pandemic?

Is Pixar’s SOUL too earnest? That’s a question Director Kemp Powers asked himself. SOUL may not be what you’re used to from Pixar, but it certainly makes an impact. Last month I was able to speak to some of the voice talent and Directors and Producer of SOUL in a Virtual Press Conference including:

Tina Fey (voice of “22”)

Phylicia Rashad (voice of “Libba Gardner”)

Angela Bassett (voice of “Dorothea Williams”)

Jamie Foxx (voice of “Joe Gardner”)

Pete Docter (Director/Story & Screenplay by)

Kemp Powers (Co-Director/Story & Screenplay by)

Dana Murray (Producer)

Is SOUL what we all need right now? 

Spirituality in Pixar Soul

How has Soul Changed Over the Years?

Full-length Pixar films take years to make, and how has their appreciation of Soul changed from the beginning to the release?

Dana Murray: “Clearly, four or five years ago when we were developing the idea, we had no idea what 2020 was holding for us in a package. It does feel very timely and although our plan was to be out in theaters and travel the world and do all those things, it does feel like somehow it’s all a bit kismet, meant to be. We’re really excited now people are gonna be able to see it on their couches with their families.”

Kemp Powers: “A few years ago, I remember having a conversation with Pete about this where I was like, is this film too earnest? Because it seemed like everyone wanted to do things that were hyper edgy. You know what I mean? And we were trying to do this film that made us feel the way we felt when we saw classic movies, like, It’s a Wonderful Life. You know what I mean? And those are movies that really stuck with us.

At the time, I remember thinking, is this too earnest? But it’s amazing that the turns that have happened in our world since then. It does feel a lot like fate. This movie was supposed to come out in June initially. Right now, it feels like the perfect holiday movie to all of us, like just the thing we want to see on Christmas day after a very challenging year, eight or nine months into a global pandemic.”

Is Pixar’s Soul Spiritual?

As decisions come about to hold movies until they can be released in theaters or whether to release them to Disney+, I agree that SOUL is a movie we need right now. SOUL is a spiritual movie without a deity; it causes reflection. 

Soul Global Pandemic

Tina Fey said,”The film does a really interesting thing, where they go a step beyond just saying, “You’ve gotta find your passion in life.” They also bring up the idea that an all-consuming passion can kind of overtake your life. And that being present is as important as achieving. Especially coming out in 2020, it’s a year when we’re all taking stock of like, what it means to have had a good year.”

Soul didn’t necessarily change the outlook of life for Phylicia Rashad but helped reaffirmed it. For Tina Fey, it helped remind her to enjoy the process, and that the road to where you wanna go is also part of your life, and should be lived fully.

So, no, Soul is not too earnest for a global pandemic, in fact it’s a reminder of what’s important in life. And in 2020, I’ll take that reminder and perspective anytime. Check out these quotes from Soul that can get real deep! 

Watch Pixar’s SOUL December 25th on Disney+!

Pixar Soul Poster

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