Another icon of animation to convey messages of union between peoples. But the focus is on personal growth as a means to gain awareness and power.
The Polynesian princess Vaiana and the ironic demigod Maui return eight years after the first adventure with “Oceania 2”, premiered yesterday in Rome and in theaters tomorrow for Walt Disney Animation Studios, directed by David Derrick jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Set three years after the events of the previous film, the sequel presents us with a conscious teenager, expert navigator and explorer, also leader of her people, admired by all the inhabitants of the island of Motonui, including her parents Tui and Sina, finally proud her. After receiving a visit from a navigator, Vaiana will begin a new journey in dangerous waters to find the island of Motufetū, which has always united the people of the Pacific Ocean. At his and Maui’s side are his inventor friend Loto, the storyteller Moni, the elderly cook Kele, the little pig Pua and the absent-minded hen Heihei.
A new adventure initially conceived by Disney as a TV series during the pandemic. Director David Derrick jr. specified this in the press conference: «When I think of a story I think of something alive. We have to listen to what it wants to communicate and at the Studios, looking at the final result on the screen, we decided that the film should go to the cinema, like the first chapter.” In her tortuous journey Vaiana will meet the mysterious Matangi, who will question her certainties. «It is a demi-idea that teaches us to find new horizons and also the need to lose ourselves to find them» added the director.
Giving her voice in the Italian version of the film was the singer Giorgia, who in a video message thanked the Disney Italia team and in particular the dubbing director Massimiliano Manfredi (Italian voice of Edward Norton and Orlando Bloom) and the person responsible for the musical part Virginia Brancucci. Present at the meeting with the press were the voices of Vaiana, Emanuela Ionica for the spoken word and Chiara Grispo in the singing, and the voice actor of Maui Fabrizio Vidale, voice of Jack Black. «Moana is a leader – declared Ionica – An extremely empathetic character who manages to see beyond what her people see. He is the leader, capable of governing in a kind but firm manner, bringing people to another level of well-being and union.”
The two voice actresses underlined the strength and universality of the character. «Every day we have to choose who we want to be – continued Ionica – There will be a moment in the film in which Vaiana will have to choose whether to remain the same as before or conquer her fears. His is a choice that affects all of us, including me. Every day we are faced with some dilemma.” «We are our choices and any decision, artistic or life, makes our future» added Grispo.
Appreciation from Fabrizio Vidale for the presentation of the film on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. «She is a profoundly feminine heroine – he said -. In a historical moment in which we have lost our fundamental values, when we see a person who embodies them, we want to follow him and be like him. If we could express many of our principles openly, perhaps the world would be different. We should ask ourselves why there aren’t many icons like Vaiana present in our contemporary world.” And of Maui he says: «He is playful, know-it-all, vain; he reminds me of Jack Black at times. Thanks to Massimiliano we returned to the mood of the story without difficulty, and being immersed in the colors and sea of the story was regenerating.”
Among the other voice actors in the film are Angela Finocchiaro, who returns to give the voice of Nonna Tala, Giulia Luzi (Loto), Marco Mete (Kele) and Danilo Salpietro (Moni).