In the near future, Rozzum robotic units have been designed to relieve humanity of just about every task imaginable. Programmed for this purpose, unit 7134 finds itself very annoyed when it finds itself on an island devoid of humans. But now, through a sad combination of circumstances, the one who introduces herself under the name “Roz” finds herself having to watch over an orphaned gosling. Finally, Roz has a task: to teach the little one to swim and fly before the migratory season. However, as the weeks go by, Roz is guided less and less by her logic and her circuits, and more and more by something else; something she shouldn’t have, and yet which now motivates her decisions and actions: a heart. French voice of Roz in the animated film The Wild Robot (Wild robot), Naadei Lyonnais tells us about this beautiful and singular character.
“I had an audition and, if I’m not mistaken, it was my very first for a dubbing,” explains the actress, presenter, model, author and singer from Rouyn-Noranda.
Written and directed by Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon / Dragons ; Lilo & Stitch / Lilo and Stitch), according to the book by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot was produced by the DreamWorks animation studio and is distributed by Universal Pictures, who obviously believe greatly in this film. In this regard, Hollywood obliges, all work linked to such a production is carried out in the greatest secrecy, as Naadei Lyonnais was able to observe.
“It’s very special, because we don’t receive a text in advance: everything is very mysterious, very protected. The storyline is never shared, so we discover the story and the character’s arc as we record in the studio. The rhythm band [l’équivalent vocal d’une portée musicale] starts to scroll, and it’s all in attached letters: I don’t think I’ve seen attached letters since the fourth year of primary school! » remembers the star ofBefore the crash bursting out laughing.
However, after a while, what is commonly called a working copy was screened, under supervision, at Naadei Lyonnais.
“It was the original English version, but in a preliminary version. That is to say that the animation and color were not yet final: they almost looked like pencil sketches; it was more of a draft of the film. I watched this version on site, accompanied. But it gave me an idea of what I should play. »
Neither human nor robot
Besides, make no mistake: it is indeed a question of play, of interpretation. Especially since Roz, like the emotions that arise against all odds within her, turns out to be wonderfully complex. From then on, every modulation of the voice counts.
“I quickly became attached to the character of Roz,” confides Naadei Lyonnais. I think there are so many layers to what she’s going through. I was surprised by the depth of the bond that I developed with this entity which is neither human nor, basically, quite robot. I recognized myself in many of the things that Roz experiences. Like her, I’m at a bit of a crossroads on issues like what it’s like to be someone’s daughter, and what it’s like to be someone’s mother. I don’t have a child yet, but I think I have gained the necessary perspective to understand what it takes to be a mother, to be a parent; all the dedication that entails. And that’s exactly what I was discovering through Roz, as I helped bring her to life. I admit that I called my mother several times during this period. »
And what did Naadei Lyonnais think of the film when she was finally able to see it in its final version?
“It really moved me. It’s really a beautiful film. I feel blessed to be there. At the premiere the other night, there were a lot of kids who needed a little hug after viewing. »
Truth be told, many adults have needed one too.