Peter Sohn, the director of Disney & Pixar’s newest film Elemental has written and shared a personal message. The letter was shared by Pixar as Elemental arrived in theaters. It is a thank you to his parents and also shares how important this film is to Sohn. Read the message here:
My name is Peter Sohn, Director of Elemental,
I’ve worked at Pixar for 23 years and never has a story felt so personal. I’m the child of immigrants. My parents left Korea in the late 1960 and came to New York where they created a beautiful life and community for my brother and I. Like our main character Ember, I felt this intense calling to honor my family and their sacrifices. They gave up so much, so I can do this for them, right? I was drawn to animateion from an early age. If there was any money left ever from our family store, my mom would take my brother and I to the movies. Because her English was limited, we’d lean over and translate what was going on. When we saw animated films, I don’t remember translating anything for her. The medium itself was so powerful and transcendent of language that there were moments that brought her to tears. It hit me, “Wow, animation can do that!”
Elemental is a love letter to my parents – thanking them for building such a supportive foundation for my brother and I. Unfortunately, I lost both of them during the production of this film and I miss them everyday. If your loved ones are still with you, please take a moment to thank them.
Mom and Dad, this is for you.
Sincerely,
Elemental Synopsis
In a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy are about to discover something elemental: How much they actually have in common.
What do you think of this letter from Elemental director Peter Sohn? Have you watched Elemental yet? What did you think of it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
