Before the setting was chosen, before even a single character was envisioned, the filmmakers behind Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new original feature film “Encanto” had decided what their new film was all about: family.
The family theme is thick in the storyline
“Encanto” tells the story of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant city, in a magic, charm place called Encanto. Encanto’s magic has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from superpowers to the power to heal—every child except for one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the one and only ordinary Madrigal, might just be the extraordinary.
the family’s last hope.
Each of the Madrigal children received their gifts during a special event of the ceremony. It has become a custom that when every child is 5 years old, a door will be made in their home which opens and leads to a room full of wonders and will amaze the beholder. It reveals exactly what their role is in this family and how they will serve the community.
“Encanto” explores the interesting but complicated relationships in families, especially those with large families consisting of several generations into one household.
“We thought it would be great to tell a story about not just a pair of characters, but a large family,” said the director Byron Howard (director of the Oscar®-winning “Zootopia,” “Tangled”).
“We want to celebrate and try to understand how the complex dynamics in extended families really work. How well do we know our family? How well do they know us?”
Added director and screenwriter Jared Bush (co-director/co-writer of “Zootopia,” author of “Moana”), “This is a story about how the people closest to us, especially family members, don’t always see us—or fully understand us. Also, we don’t show our loved ones fully for various reasons. Our story shows how one member of the family who feels the least visible can learn to look at his entire family and ultimately himself.”
“Encanto” will feature eight original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Miranda is the creator and star of the Broadway original “Hamilton,” which won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, earned 16 Tony® nominations, won 11, and 12 Emmy® nominations this year for Disney+ shows. The Original Broadway Cast Record of “Hamilton” won a 2016 Grammy® for best musical theatrical album. His work on Disney Animation “Moana” earned him a Grammy for best song written for visual media, and an Oscar® nomination for best achievement in written music for the film “How Far I’ll Go”.
