A hand-drawn wonder brimming with imagination and warmth, Arco is the kind of film that reminds you of the joy of discovery.
An incisive and wondrous sci-fi adventure... Bienvenu’s hand-drawn characters appear halfway between gritty realism and anime.
Arco 2025
Arco is a young boy who lives in a distant and peaceful future where humans reside in houses that are on platforms in the sky. During a family outing, wearing rainbow suits that allow them to fly, Arco falls and finds himself transported back to 2075 where he is rescued by a young girl and her robot friend. Together, they must find a way to get him back to his family.
Reminiscent of classic Hayao Miyazaki films such as Castle in the Sky, Ugo Bienvenu's debut feature is an imaginative fantasy adventure featuring two distinct visions of the future, with effort put into even the smallest details and creative blemishes that are peppered through the entire runtime.
In these worlds, two children from different backgrounds bond to overcome danger and decipher a mystical puzzle. Coming off a nomination for best animated feature at the Academy Awards and a win for best feature at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Arco's beautiful and absorbing hand drawn animation style, expansive world building and hopeful storytelling make it a treasure for all ages.
– Jordan Salomen