Luka (Animation)

Luca is a 2021 American animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the first feature-length directing effort by Enrico Casarosa and tells a coming-of-age story set along the Italian Riviera. The film, with a screenplay by Jesse Andrews and Mike Jones, features the voices of Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Emma Berman.

Luca is set in the fictional coastal town of Portorosso in 1950s Italy and centers on Luca Paguro, a 13-year-old sea monster who can transform into a human form on land. The film explores themes of friendship and self-acceptance. Premiered on 13 June 2021 at the Genoa Aquarium, Luca was released on the Disney+ platform on 18 June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luca tells the story of Luca Paguro, a 13-year-old sea monster living beneath the waves of the Italian Riviera. Luca leads a quiet life with his family as a fish herder, but venturing above the surface is strictly forbidden. One day, he meets Alberto Scorfano, another sea monster who has learned to live on land. Alberto shows Luca how he can transform into a human form when dry. The two flee to the town of Portorosso, where they befriend Giulia Marcovaldo, a clever and kind-hearted human girl. Inspired by their dream of buying a Vespa scooter, the trio enters the Portorosso Cup, a triathlon competition. However, when Luca and Alberto are exposed as sea monsters upon contact with water, they must confront the town’s prejudice against sea creatures. The film focuses on Luca’s journey of self-discovery and his acceptance of his differences with the support of his friends.

^{Scene from Luca (}IMDb⁾

Luca centers on themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and social inclusion. The sea monsters’ ability to transform into human form serves as a metaphor for concealing and ultimately embracing one’s differences. The film particularly highlights the feeling of being an “other” during adolescence and the courage required for self-expression. Luca’s shyness and Alberto’s confidence reflect the transformative power of friendship through contrasting character dynamics. Environmental themes are also present; Portorosso’s fishing culture conveys messages about the relationship between humans and nature. Director Casarosa draws from his own childhood memories to convey that differences are a source of richness and that prejudice can be overcome.

• Luca Paguro (Jacob Tremblay): A 13-year-old sea monster who lives underwater and is curious about the world above.
• Alberto Scorfano (Jack Dylan Grazer): A carefree, adventurous young sea monster accustomed to life on land; Luca’s closest friend.
• Giulia Marcovaldo (Emma Berman): A smart and compassionate human girl who spends her summers in Portorosso.
• Ercole Visconti (Saverio Raimondo): The arrogant and bullying champion of the Portorosso Cup.
• Daniela Paguro (Maya Rudolph): Luca’s protective mother, who is strongly opposed to him venturing above the surface.
• Lorenzo Paguro (Jim Gaffigan): Luca’s father, a bit absent-minded but well-meaning.
• Grandma Paguro (Sandy Martin): Luca’s grandmother, who understands his interest in the surface world with empathy.
• Uncle Ugo (Sacha Baron Cohen): An eccentric relative who lives in the deep sea; a sea creature Luca is temporarily sent to live with.
• Massimo Marcovaldo (Marco Barricelli): Giulia’s one-armed father, a strong and quiet fisherman.
• Ciccio (Peter Sohn): Ercole’s large, obedient assistant.
• Guido (Lorenzo Crisci): Ercole’s other assistant; often seen alongside Ciccio.
• Tommaso (Gino La Monica): One of the town’s elderly fishermen.
• Concetta Aragosta (Elisa Gabrielli): One of the town’s elderly women.
• Pinuccia Aragosta (Mimi Maynard): An elderly woman who accompanies Concetta and is known for gossiping.

Luca had limited traditional box office numbers due to its direct release on Disney+ because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film premiered for free on Disney+ on 18 June 2021 and became the most-watched streaming film of 2021, accumulating over 1.06 billion minutes of viewing time worldwide. In countries where Disney+ was not available, the film received theatrical releases and earned approximately $49.7 million internationally. In the United States, a limited theatrical run was held at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood from 18 to 24 June 2021. The film returned to U.S. theaters in wide release on 22 March 2024, generating additional revenue, though these figures are included in the overall total.

Luca was developed over five years, inspired by Enrico Casarosa’s childhood memories and experiences along the Italian Riviera. The film was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic using remote production. As Pixar’s 24th feature film, Luca was produced in a 1.85:1 widescreen format and adopted a watercolor-inspired animation aesthetic. Casarosa aimed for a visually childlike style distinct from photorealism. The film’s score was composed by Dan Romer and enriched with Italian pop songs. Production research was conducted in regions such as Genoa and Cinque Terre to authentically reflect Italian culture.

• 2021 Family Movie

• Best Animated Film

• Best Animated Feature – Enrico Casarosa, Andrea Warren

• Best Animated Feature
• Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production – Tarun Lak
• Character Design in an Animated Feature Production – Deanna Marsigliese
• Directing in an Animated Feature Production – Enrico Casarosa
• Music in an Animated Feature Production – Dan Romer

• Best Animated Film – Enrico Casarosa, Andrea Warren

• Best Animated Film

• Best Animated Feature Film

• Best Performance by a Younger Actor – Jacob Tremblay
• Best Animated Film

• Best Edited Animated Feature Film – Catherine Apple, Jason Hudak