Jenna Ortega and director Taika Waititi used the red carpet of the London Film Festival to deliver a clear message about their new film, Klara and the Sun: disconnect from technology and reconnect with people. The dystopian sci-fi adaptation, based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel, premiered in London on Thursday night, drawing a crowd of cast members and literary figures eager to discuss its timely themes.
Ortega and Waititi on Digital Detox
Ortega, who plays the titular android companion, told reporters that the story is a reminder to appreciate the people physically present in our lives. “I think we gotta put our focus on one another and put down the computers and phones,” she said. She added that the film encourages viewers to “remember to be present and to appreciate people while they’re standing right in front of you.”
Waititi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of human connection over digital interaction. “I would just like people to remember what friendship is, connect with people and just be,” he said. “Just be in the moment.” The director, known for Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, noted that he wanted Ortega’s performance to feel human rather than robotic. He instructed her to avoid stiff, mechanical movements, instead opting for a clumsy, unknowing quality that mirrors a toddler’s exploration of the world.
A Different Kind of AI Story
The film is set in a future where genetic engineering has created strict social hierarchies. Ortega’s character, Klara, is an artificial friend purchased for an ailing girl named Josie, played by Mia Tharia. Amy Adams stars as Josie’s mother, with supporting roles from Natasha Lyonne, Steve Buscemi, and Aran Murphy. Florence Pugh made a surprise appearance at the premiere, greeting Ortega and Adams before posing for photos with the cast and producer Rachel Forman.
Ortega clarified that Klara operates differently from modern artificial intelligence. While current AI systems pull data from the internet, Klara gathers information from the real world. “She’s kind of like a toddler in a sense,” Ortega explained. This distinction allows the film to explore themes of empathy and observation without relying on the typical tropes of AI rebellion.
Author Kazuo Ishiguro acknowledged that the cultural landscape has shifted significantly since his book was published. He noted that while AI anxieties are now at the center of public discourse, his story does not follow the common narrative of a machine turning sinister. “It’s not that sort of story,” Ishiguro said, suggesting that the film offers a different perspective on technology and humanity.
Future Projects and Release Date
During the event, Ishiguro also confirmed he is working on a new project with director Tim Burton. He revealed that he wrote an original script for Burton after visiting the director’s home in North London. The two have a mutual friend in Ortega, but Ishiguro clarified that she did not introduce them. He described the upcoming film as difficult to categorize, simply stating, “It’s a Tim Burton film!”
Klara and the Sun is scheduled for theatrical release via Sony Pictures on October 23. The premiere marks a significant moment for the cast and crew, who hope the film will resonate with audiences navigating an increasingly digital world.
Source: Variety
