Screened 15 years ago at the opening of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, Up there, animated film from Pixar studios directed by Pete Docter has not aged a bit. An instant classic, the feature film was dubbed for us by Rachid Badouri and a very young Ludivine Reding who joined Charles Aznavour, who has since died.
Up thereOr Up in the original version, is the story of Carl Fredricksen (voice of Charles Aznavour in French version) who, as a little boy, dreamed of following in the footsteps of the famous adventurer Charles Muntz (voice of Christopher Plummer in original version). Adult and married to Ellie (voice of Ludivine Reding in Quebec version), Carl pursues his youthful dream, but his wife dies.
Inconsolable, Carl then meets young Russell (voice of Jordan Nagai in original version), a scout who absolutely must obtain his help to seniors badge. The two characters will experience an exceptional adventure together in South America, all in the company of the dogs Doug and Alpha whose voice is provided by Rachid Badouri.
Here are the little secrets of this moving story (and which we must admit we cry):
- As soon as the feature film was released, Carl’s home became iconic. A “real” house Up there was built in Utah, the design and colors even having been approved by Disney Studios. The contractor explained at the time that the plans for the residence were drawn up using details revealed in the film. In December 2011, the Hamblin family, originally from California, acquired the residence for $400,000. They still live there today and post photos and news online regularly.
- In the famous scene of Up therewhen Carl attaches balloons to his house so it can fly away, the designers created no less than 10,286 balloons and attached them to the animated abode.
- Second feature film to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Picture category, the first being The beauty and the Beast in 1991, Up there became a classic upon its release. Its international box office revenues bear witness to the fervor of moviegoers, with the feature film having grossed no less than US$735.1 million.
- The initial idea was born in the imagination of Pete Docter who, in 2004, put into words his fantasies of escape to escape from the irritants of his life, a way of doing things that he had developed when he was a child and had difficulty socializing.
- Pixar teams love to make references to other of their films. So on Andy’s wall in Toy Story 3, we can see a postcard sent to Carl and Ellie. Plus, the franchise’s Pizza Planet truck Toy story appears several times in scenes of Up there. And that’s not all… The mention “A113” or its derivatives is included in almost all of Pixar’s animated feature films. For what? This is the classroom number at the California Institute of the Arts, frequented by many of the company’s animators and directors. In Up thereA113 is the courtroom number that Carl must go to.
