Natalie Portman reflected on the impact of the animated film Arco, which recently earned an Oscar nomination, sharing how it has sparked meaningful conversations with her children. The film, which she also produced, made its debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and centers on the connection between two children after a time travel experiment goes awry.
Discussions Inspired by the Film’s Futuristic Themes
Portman described watching Arco with her son Aleph, 14, and daughter Amalia, 8, as an incredible experience. The story’s imaginative elements led to deep discussions about why the parents in the film appear as holograms and are not physically at home. The movie also touches on climate challenges faced by the characters and encourages viewers to think about possible solutions.
“It raised so many interesting conversations from why the parents are holograms and not at home to, of course, the climate challenges that the kids face in it, to some of the solutions that the kids come up with, like ‘Is that really possible in life, living on platforms above the earth to let the earth rest?’”
— Natalie Portman, actress and producer
“Things like that are amazing conversations I got to have with the kids because of the movie,”
she added.
Imagination and Realism in Storytelling for Children
Portman emphasized that Arco engages children by valuing their intelligence and experiences. The film highlights the power of imagination as the driving force behind all inventions and treats young viewers with respect, addressing complex issues without oversimplification.
“The story dealt with very pressing issues and offered so much inspiration and hope and encouragement of imagination for children,”
Portman said.
“I think that it takes kids very seriously. It doesn’t try and gloss over things. Kids are living through all of these experiences right now, and I think need to be talked to with a lot of respect,”
she added.
Why ‘Arco’ Matters in Today’s World
By focusing on timely challenges such as environmental concerns through a lens of hope and creativity, Arco invites children to imagine solutions while validating their lived realities. Portman’s involvement and the film’s thoughtful approach suggest that storytelling can be a powerful tool to inspire meaningful dialogue within families and beyond.
