Pixar are always at their best when they use their wondrous animation to convey something deeply human.
And their short film Out delivers completely, exploring a particular experience which has, up until this point, been rarely depicted by the studio.
Pixar’s short animated film Out is the first film from the studio to feature a gay character at the front and centre of their visual storytelling.
Out may be a Pixar short, but what they accomplish in its 9-minute run time is raw and convincing. The story follows a man called Greg, who practises coming out to his parents with the help of his dog. This isn’t Pixar’s first gay character, as they introduced a lesbian character in their film Onward. However, this is their first time placing a gay character as the protagonist.
The film came out last week on Disney Plus, as part of the SparkShorts program. President of Pixar Jim Morris states on their website that these shorts aim to “discover new storytellers, explore new storytelling techniques and experiment with new production workflows”.
This is especially true in the awkward and moving moments of Out, like when Greg rehearses in front of his dog: “Just look them in the eyes and say, ‘Mom, Dad, I’m – this is my boyfriend Manuel”. Real depicts of dealing with same-sex attraction like in Out sets a standard for upcoming films, showing others how to represent this issue with sensitivity and authenticity.
Jeremy Blacklow, director of entertainment media for GLAAD, an L.G.B.T.Q organisation, had this to say about Out: “By centering on a young gay man, ‘Out’ just raised the bar for inclusion in kids and family programming.” Only time will tell if other studios can follow Pixar’s promising example.
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