News and views – “The Wild Robot” and other new films in theaters in October – News

As fall approaches, cinema is the ideal sanctuary for young people to interact with the wider world through thought-provoking stories and captivating audiovisuals that nourish their cultural and social development. Coming to the UK’s big screens this month are an animated double series about the true nature of robots and friendship, a documentary exploring the difficult consequences of colonialism and climate change, and two compelling dramas delving into inside the twisted minds of famous people, one from the comic book world and one concerning a certain former American president.

Joker: Folie à Deux (15) – in theaters October 4, 2024

Expanding on the story of the clown-faced villain of the Batman franchise, this sequel to the 2019 psychological thriller Joker (available on Into Film+) finds failed actor Arthur Fleck in a high-security psychiatric hospital. At a music therapy class, he meets Lee Quinzel, a manipulative and deeply disturbed patient who admires Arthur’s infamous Joker persona. A romance blossoms between them, as does a shared delusional turmoil, imagined through glamorous musical numbers. Emboldened by Lee, Arthur embraces his dark alter ego in court and Lee becomes his counterpart, Harley Quinn. But their mythological status may not be quite what it seems, as new riots break out in Gotham City. Exploring issues such as mental health, creative outlets, and law and order, this genre-bending film is a subversive addition to the DC Universe.

The Battle of Laikipia (12A) – in theaters October 4, 2024

Documentary film offers an accessible way to explore the contributing factors of a complex problem. In central Kenya, the Laikipia region is facing a crisis. Climate change has led to severe droughts in pastures where livestock have grazed for centuries. The livelihoods of indigenous farmers are threatened and tensions are exacerbated by historical conflicts over land ownership. Kenya gained independence in 1964, but the bitter legacy of colonialism is still felt among the descendants of British settlers determined to protect their private ranches from semi-nomadic communities and their livestock. Other factors such as national politics and wildlife conservation weigh into this debate over the future of a shared but divided earth, where ultimately everyone is affected by the global environmental emergency .

Transformers One (PG) – in theaters October 11, 2024

Inspired by popular Transformers action figures, this high-tech animated adventure features the never-before-told origin story of Optimus Prime and his nemesis Megatron, two alien robots from the planet Cybertron. But before they became the powerful leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons respectively, they were two close friends called Orion Pax and D-16, a pair of modest mining robots working underground who cannot yet transform. Eager to prove themselves, they return to the surface of their planet with their friends B-127 and Elita-1 and find a mysterious robot who gives them transformative cogs to help them access their full potential. But they also discover a terrible secret, which will lead the two best friends on different paths, pitting their incredible powers against each other.

The Wild Robot (U) – in theaters October 18, 2024

From robots fighting in space to robots learning to become one with nature: based on an acclaimed children’s book, this beautiful animation explores what happens when the natural world and technology collide. A newly made robot is shipwrecked on an island uninhabited by humans. Programmed to assist people, the robot ROZZUM Unit 7134, or simply “Roz”, is disconcerted to find himself in this wilderness, where he is treated with suspicion by the native animals. Nonetheless, Roz learns to communicate with the creatures, learns survival skills, and becomes the foster parent of an orphaned gosling. But as she settles into the forest, her mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

Find the free cinema screening closest to The wild robot as part of the Into Film Festival 2024 here, including special events events.

The Apprentice (certificate to be confirmed) – in theaters October 18, 2024

With the US presidential elections approaching next month, this topical biopic looks back at one of its candidates’ beginnings as a hard-working businessman, long before he became a politician. Donald Trump, young, privileged and ambitious, is eager to make a name for himself in 1970s New York. He meets Roy Cohn, a ruthless lawyer who helps him build his real estate empire by teaching him to be totally brash and relentless . Trump quickly learned to apply these tactics beyond his business dealings, pursuing his first wife Ivana and casting aside friends and family when they ceased to be useful. This fictional tragicomedy about the controversial figure’s rise to fame and fortune, inspired by true stories, invites viewers to reflect on how Donald Trump became the person he is today.