This year, we will witness the first animated feature film by our beloved filmmaker from Guadalajara, which will tell the timeless story of that wooden doll that comes to life and aspires to become a real boy. However, the Mexican version is not the only one that appears among the 2022 releases, since in recent weeks and months other films inspired by the same fantastic character have debuted. But there are certainly very clear differences in Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro that make it unique compared to the rest of the adaptations.
Last month, Disney premiered on its platform streaming the remake of Pinocchio, his animated classic. On the other hand, there was also a Russian animated film -titled in English Pinocchio: A True Story— which also arrived on the international market in 2022. And in March 2021, theaters in Mexico exhibited the live action Italian Pinocchio, with Roberto Benigni in the role of Geppetto. Therefore, our noses would definitely grow if we denied that the friendly puppet has been a constant presence in recent cinematographic offerings.
“Any coincidence like that, or any convergence like that, is fine. Because I think it’s a story that can be told so many times in so many different ways,” said Guillermo del Toro in an interview with ScreenRant.
And about his own approach, he added:
“It is not a film made for children, but it is a film that can be seen by the family.. [Mi Pinocho] He has a very sweet heart, as you saw in the first images, but it is something that will be distinguished from the other versions of the story. He has a point of view that is very, very specific.”
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Given the abundance of films based on the same character, the director of the upcoming adaptation stop motion thought it prudent that the full title of his version be Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro. After all, in addition to being a project that took two decades to complete, it was one that was deeply linked to the rest of his filmography; hence the importance of highlighting the authorial aspect of the film, through a title that tells people «look, this will be a piece linked to The Devil’s backbone Already The Pan’s Labyrinth«, in Del Toro’s words.
In fact, the Oscar winner considers that these three feature films are part of the same trilogy that speaks of dreamy childhoods and ruthless fascist regimes; in this case, that of Mussolini in Italy.
«That was the first thing I said: ‘If we are going to do it [esta película], we should try to place ourselves in a time when many people behave like a puppet, except the puppet. Most of the Pinocchios are about obedience. So let’s do ours about disobedience,'” the filmmaker commented. “So these are things that change perspective and make the story fresh.”
Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro It will have its premiere on December 9, 2022 in select theaters in Mexico and in the Netflix catalog. Weeks before, it will have its Latin American premiere within the framework of the Morelia International Film Festival 2022.
Antonio G. Spindola I have very bad memory. Out of solidarity with my memories, I choose to lose myself too. Preferably in a movie theater.