New Pixar Film Is A ‘Culture Clash’ According To Director

If you’ve had your fill of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Little Mermaid live-action remake news, then you’re going to want to hear this inside information that gets Pixar back to the root of its storytelling. The all-original Pixar film, Elemental, comes to theaters everywhere on June 16, and director Peter Sohn sat down to discuss his vision behind the story.

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Elemental takes audiences into the daily lives of fundamental elements such as water, fire, air, and earth. Personified fire element, Ember, voiced by Leah Lewis, ventures out of her comfort zone and into Element City with new companion made of water, Wade (Mamoudou Athie). The duo have adventures and learn about themselves even though “elements don’t mix.”

Sohn discusses how the film comes from a very personal place. His Korean parents raised him in Korean traditions, and as an adult, he is now able to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices they made for him. This is where Sohn finds the “heart” of his film Elemental.

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Sohn continues,

This film is about a culture clash, and it was about trying to translate some of those experiences in an elemental way. I remember my wife eating Korean food for the first time, and she just wasn’t used to how spicy it was.

This anecdote is intercut with a scene from the film when Wade eats at Ember’s family shop. Ember’s father, voiced by Ronnie del Carmen, offers Wade what looks like a plate of molten rocks to eat. Wade politely swallows some and goes into immediate distress from the heat.

See the teaser Pixar poster on Twitter HERE.

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Peter Sohn has also directed based Disney / Pixar films such as The Good Dinosaur (2015). The voice cast also features Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara, Mason Wertheimer, and Joe Pera.

The film will follow a short starring Up‘s (2009) Carl Fredrickson going on his first date since the passing of his wife, whit trusty dog Dug as his wingman.

See it yourself in theaters on June 16!