NEW PIXAR SHORT: And why it is a big deal!

[Ryan Goble]

From Pacific Standard...

Why Pixar's New Short Is a Big Deal

"For any immigrant culture, it's so important to see yourself represented in books and movies and music."

by MADELEINE THOMAS

Tomorrow's debut of The Good Dinosaur is noteworthy beyond the fact that it's a new Pixar film and all new Pixar films make boatloads of money. Preceding the feature, there will be (in classic Pixar fashion) an animated short called Sanjay's Super Team. This seven-minute warm-up to the main attraction breaks lots of new ground for Pixar: It's the first to feature a non-white lead, a director of Indian descent, and to touch on religion—Hinduism, specifically.

Sanjay's Super Team depicts a young boy's quest to bridge the generational and cultural gaps between his American and Indian heritage. It begins with Sanjay watching cartoons while his father meditates and practices morning prayers behind him. As Sanjay grows more and more impatient by the ceremony, he starts daydreaming of Hindu deity superheroes. Throughout the course of the vibrant daydream, young Sanjay grows closer and closer to understanding his father, his religion, and his more traditional Indian culture.

Read the full article HERE.