Robin Robin
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| Robin Robin | |
|---|---|
Poster | |
| Directed by | Dan Ojari Mikey Please |
| Written by | Dan Ojari Mikey Please Sam Morrison |
| Produced by | Helen Argo Danny Gallagher |
| Starring | Bronte Carmichael Richard E. Grant Gillian Anderson Adeel Akhtar |
| Cinematography | Dave Alex Riddett |
| Edited by | Chris Morrell |
| Music by | Ben Please Beth Porter |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 32 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
Robin Robin is a 2021 animated musical short film produced by Aardman Animations. Directed by Dan Ojari and Mikey Please, and written by Ojari, Please, and Sam Morrison, the film stars the voices of Bronte Carmichael, Richard E. Grant, Gillian Anderson, and Adeel Akhtar. It follows a young robin who seeks to prove her worth to her adoptive mice family by stealing a shiny star from a human's house.
In November 2019, Aardman and Netflix announced they would co-produce a half-hour animated special Robin Robin, with Dan Ojari and Mikey Please attached as directors and writers, and Sam Morisson as an additional writer. Filming began in 2020 and unlike prior Aardman stop-motion projects, the film use needle felting instead of plasticine. The Bookshop Band's Ben Please and Ben Porter composed the score, with directors Dan Ojari and Mikey Please doing the lyrics for the songs.
Robin Robin was released on Netflix on n 24 November 2021. It was nominated for several awards including Best Animated Short Film at the 94th Academy Awards.
Premise
[edit]When a robin grows up raised by a family of mice,[1] her differences become more apparent every time they try to sneak into a Who-Man's house. Now, she sets off on a daring heist to steal a shiny star and to prove to her family, and a malicious cat, that she can be a really good mouse.
Cast
[edit]- Bronte Carmichael as Robin
- Richard E. Grant as Magpie
- Gillian Anderson as Cat
- Adeel Akhtar as Dad Mouse
- Amira Macey-Michael as Dink
- Tom Pegler as Pip
- Endeavour Clutterbuck as Flynn
- Megan Harris as Flin
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]In November 2019, Aardman Animations and Netflix announced they would co-produce the half-hour stop-motion animated musical special Robin Robin, directed by Dan Ojari and Mikey Please from a script written by Ojari, Please, and Sam Morrison and Sarah Cox producing the special.[2][3]
Casting
[edit]In December 2020, Bronte Carmichael, Richard E Grant, Gillian Anderson, and Adeel Akhtar were cast in the special.[3]
Filming
[edit]In November 2019, it was announced that filming would start in 2020 and unlike most Aardman stop-motion projects would use needle felting instead of plasticine.[2]
Music
[edit]In December 2020, The Bookshop Band was revealed as the composers with directors Dan Ojari and Mikey Please doing the lyrics for the songs.[3] The orchestra was composed by the Bristol Ensemble.
Release
[edit]On 22 November 2019, the special was expected to be released in 2020. The special premiered on 27 November 2021 in Asia, and on the 24th in North America. On 17 June 2021, the official trailer was released confirming the release date.[4] The short was part of the world touring screening The Animation Showcase 2021.
Reception
[edit]It was nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 94th Academy Awards.[5][6][7] It was also nominated for Animation at the British Academy Children's Awards 2022[8] and at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards for Best Short-Form (Animated).[9]
Future
[edit]In an interview with Variety, Micky quoted “We are currently working on more stories in the world of ‘Robin, Robin,’” Please tells Variety. “I think that’s all we’re allowed to say. But that would certainly be our hopes and dreams. We feel like there are loads more stories to tell in this world, so we’d love to do more.”
Ojari explains. “We would come in some days and be like: What about this idea? And we had a sort of slate on the wall with 10 different ideas in different stages of development.” Of those, three moved forward: a comicbook, “Deadrock,” yet to be published, a TV series pilot, called “Alan the Infinite,” whose trailer can be seen here, and “Robin Robin.” “It started out just as an idea of a bird raised by some mice — a Christmas thing with a few ingredients — and then we just worked it up, mostly in one evening, into a one pager. It was like a treatment at that point”.[10]
Merchandise
[edit]In March 2021, Aardman Animation made a licensing deal with both MacMillan Children's Books and Aurora World for tie-in books and plush toys, respectively.
References
[edit]- ^ Arthouse Advisory: This year’s Oscar-nominated animated films are creative and compelling, but also are for adult eyes - TheBurg
- ^ a b Alberge, Dalya (22 November 2019). "A grand way out: Wallace & Gromit makers ditch BBC for Netflix film". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- ^ a b c Milligan, Mercedes (3 December 2020). "Gillian Anderson, Richard E. Grant Lead 'Robin Robin' Cast". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ @NetflixUK (3 December 2020). "Things you need to know about Robin Robin: – It's a stop-motion, musical, festive special from @aardman (!) – @GillianA and @RichardEGrant lend their voices (!!)– It arrives on Netflix in 2021" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Cohn, Gabe (8 February 2022). "2022 Oscars Nominees List". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ 2022|Oscars.org
- ^ 'The Windshield Wiper' Wins Best Animated Short Film | 94th Oscars
- ^ "BAFTA's Children & Young People Awards 2022 - Winners". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (18 January 2022). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Harder They Fall', 'Insecure' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (21 January 2024). "Aardman Working on More Stories Set in the World of 'Robin Robin,' Netflix's Oscar Nominated Musical Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
External links
[edit]Robin Robin
View on GrokipediaBackground
Premise
Robin Robin is a stop-motion animated musical short film that centers on a young robin named Robin, who hatches from an egg that rolls into a rubbish dump and is subsequently adopted and raised by a family of mice as one of their own.[2] As Robin grows, her physical differences from the mice become increasingly evident, prompting her to grapple with questions of identity and belonging in a world divided between the scavenging mouse society and the avian realm.[8] Desperate to earn acceptance from her adoptive family, Robin embarks on a bold heist to steal a gleaming Christmas star from a human household, during which she encounters a cunning cat who challenges her sense of self.[9] The narrative explores profound themes of self-discovery and the search for one's true place, highlighting the contrasts between the industrious, ground-bound life of mice and the aspirational freedom of birds.[2] Central to the story is Robin's motivation to prove her worth through cunning and bravery, driven by a deep-seated desire for familial acceptance, while the mice family exhibits protective instincts rooted in their love for her despite her outsider status.[8] In contrast, the cat embodies a predatory role, serving as both a threat and a catalyst for Robin's realization of her innate nature.[10] Through these elements, the film weaves a tale of family bonds that transcend biological ties, emphasizing resilience and the journey toward embracing one's authentic identity.[9]Voice Cast
The voice cast of Robin Robin features a talented ensemble of British actors, bringing distinct vocal nuances to the film's anthropomorphic animal characters. Bronte Carmichael provides the voice for the titular protagonist Robin, a young bird raised by mice, infusing the role with an innocent and curious tone that highlights the character's naivety and sense of wonder.[11][1] Richard E. Grant voices Magpie, the sly and opportunistic bird mentor, delivering a charismatic and sly performance marked by his signature velvety timbre, which adds humor and mischief to the character.[11][2] Gillian Anderson lends her voice to Cat, the cunning antagonist, employing a sultry and menacing delivery that underscores the predator's predatory instincts and manipulative nature, drawing on her experience with complex villainous roles.[11][12] Adeel Akhtar voices Dad Mouse, Robin's adoptive father, portraying him with a warm yet cautious warmth that conveys protective affection and quiet resilience.[11][13] Supporting voices include Amira Macey-Michael as Dink, the playful young mouse sibling, whose energetic and childlike inflections enhance the familial dynamics among the rodents.[11] Tom Pegler voices Pip, the eldest mouse sibling, contributing a supportive and earnest quality to the ensemble.[11]| Actor | Role | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Bronte Carmichael | Robin | Innocent, dreamy tone evoking youthful curiosity, building on her Disney experience in Christopher Robin.[1][2] |
| Richard E. Grant | Magpie | Sly, humorous delivery with distinctive gravitas, known from voice roles in films like The Iron Lady.[3][2] |
| Gillian Anderson | Cat | Menacing, seductive menace, leveraging her acclaimed portrayals in The X-Files and The Crown.[12][1] |
| Adeel Akhtar | Dad Mouse | Warm, protective earnestness, informed by his dramatic work in Enola Holmes.[13][1] |
| Amira Macey-Michael | Dink | Playful, sibling-like energy adding levity to mouse interactions.[11] |
| Tom Pegler | Pip | Supportive, big brother presence in family scenes.[11] |