Klara and the Sun, directed by Taika Waititi, premiered at the 21st Festa del Cinema di Roma on October 13 as part of the Grand Public section, with Waititi and co-star Jenna Ortega in attendance. The premiere occurred ahead of the film’s Italian release on October 22, distributed by Eagle Pictures and produced by Sony Pictures.
Premiere at Rome Film Festival
Waititi, known for works like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, described this project as “the most delicate” of his career, shifting from his usual comedic tone to a more introspective, melancholic approach. The film’s production involved a cast including Amy Adams as Josie’s mother and Mia Tharia alongside Steve Buscemi and Natasha Lyonne. Filming took place in New Zealand, Waititi’s home country.
The film was presented in the Grand Public section of the 21st Festa del Cinema di Roma, held at the Auditorium Parco della Musica Ennio Morricone from October 13 to 25. The film’s production also included David Heyman, the producer behind the Harry Potter series, and its score was composed by Michael Giacchino. Giacchino’s involvement was highlighted in a separate feature titled “I Maestri del suono” (The Masters of Sound).
Themes of Human Connection and AI
Klara’s journey is framed through her relationship with Josie, a gifted but fragile teenager navigating a family fractured by loss. The film’s setting, a post-Third World War society, highlights the tension between technological progress and human vulnerability. Waititi cited Federico Fellini’s Le Notti di Cabiria as an inspiration, comparing Klara to Giulietta Masina’s character: “Broken things are okay,” he said, reflecting the film’s exploration of imperfection.
Source 1 details that the film is based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel, which is his first novel after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017. Ishiguro, a British author, has previously seen his novels adapted into films, including The Remains of the Day (1993) and Never Let Me Go (2010). The novel’s themes of loss and human fragility align with the film’s focus on familial bonds. Waititi described the story as “not about artificial intelligence, but about the human condition,” emphasizing Klara’s role as an observer of human imperfections.
Jenna Ortega, who plays Klara, emphasized the character’s emotional intelligence and her role in fostering human connections. “Klara’s optimism and her ability to see beyond the visible or calculable encourage people to recreate genuine human bonds,” she said. The film’s setting, a world shaped by the aftermath of a Third World War, highlights the contrast between technological advancement and societal fragility. Klara’s innocence and loyalty become a catalyst for healing a fractured family, as noted in Source 2, which describes her as “a ‘clown’ who continues to smile despite everything.”
Cast and Production Details
The film features a star-studded cast, including Amy Adams as Josie’s mother, Mia Tharia as the titular character, and Steve Buscemi and Natasha Lyonne in supporting roles. Aran Murphy, making his cinematic debut, joins the ensemble, while Jenna Ortega portrays Klara with a focus on subtlety and emotional depth. Source 2 notes that Ortega’s performance marks a departure from her previous roles, such as in Wednesday, as she portrays an artificial being with ‘a worldview that is nearly childlike.’
The film’s production was filmed in New Zealand, where Waititi frequently works. The director collaborated with Dahvi Waller on the screenplay, blending his signature storytelling with Ishiguro’s literary themes. The film’s release in Italy on October 22 precedes its U.S. debut, as reported in Source 2, which states that the Italian premiere serves as a “trampoline” for the global rollout.