In 1980s New York, lonely Dog orders Robot from a TV sales channel to be his companion. Their friendship blossoms, and they become inseparable until one summer night when Dog is forced to abandon Robot at the beach. A film by Pablo Berger.

Dog lives alone in his 1980s New York City apartment, his evenings a monotonous routine of frozen Macaroni and Cheese and flickering television. A heavy silence presses down on him, emphasizing the emptiness of his apartment as he witnesses a happy couple across the street, their laughter a stark contrast to his quiet solitude. Suddenly, his eyes light up at a commercial for a companion Robot. A rush of excitement fills him as he quickly places an order. Then he goes to bed, eagerly awaiting the Robot’s arrival.

The next day, a large box containing the robot arrives. Dog unpacks and assembles the pieces with surprising skill. But even fully assembled, the robot remains lifeless. Thankfully, the manual’s instructions quickly provide the solution: a simple turn of its head to the right. With a whirring hum, Robot boots up, its metallic face splitting into a wide smile that warms Dog’s heart.

Together, they step out onto the bustling city sidewalk, drawing curious glances from the diverse animal inhabitants. They descend into the subway, the clatter of the train carrying them towards their destination. Emerging into Central Park, they roll onto the open area, drawing a crowd of curious animals with their synchronized dance moves. Their roller skates gleam under the sun, and the vibrant rhythm of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” fills the air.

Dog’s life is happier than ever. He and Robot spend most of their time together, rowing boats, devouring hotdogs, battling video games, sightseeing in Manhattan, capturing goofy grins in photo booths, and losing themselves in the magic of the Wizard of Oz movie. As summer nears its end, they head to the beach, spending the day swimming, diving, and falling asleep on the warm sand under the sun.

Dog wakes up in the evening, realizing that other visitors have left, he wakes Robot as it’s time to head home. Unfortunately something happens that none of them has anticipated. Sea water has caused Robot to rust, immobilized him completely. Robot is unable to move himself, and he is to heavy for Dog to carry. Dog attempts to find help, but none is available. Dog is forced to go home by himself for the night. He is determined to come back to rescue Robot tomorrow.

Dog returns to the beach the following day, equipped with tools and books on robot repair. Upon arrival, he learns that the beach has been closed until June next year. A large barbed wire fence prevents him from reaching Robot. He returns to the city and requests beach access, but his request is denied. Refusing to give up, he attempts to illegally break through the fence. Unfortunately, he is caught by police Gorilla and arrested. With no other option, he is forced to wait for the beach to open again. Meanwhile, Robot remains lying on the beach, dreaming of different scenarios where he could return home and reunite with Dog once again.

Adapted from American author Sara Varon’s 2007 wordless comic book of the same name, the animated film directed by Spanish filmmaker Pablo Berger tells a heartwarming story about a dog and a robot, exploring the power and fragility of relationships.

ROBOT DREAMS, a stunning animation with a compelling narrative, is both heartwarming and heartwrenching. Vibrant colors and Alfonso de Vilallonga’s captivating music seamlessly guide viewers through the film’s universal theme, even without dialogue. While some might find the repetitive dream sequences in the middle section slightly slow, the unforgettable ending leaves a long-lasting impression.

ROBOT DREAMS premiered at Festival de Cannes in the Special Secreenings section on 21 May 2023. It also received the award for Best Film in the Contrechamp section at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film was theatrically released in Spain on 6 December, and in France on 27 December. ROBOT DREAMS received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Prix Contrechamp (Contrechamp Award) was first introduced at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2007. It is a competition section for feature films that don’t quite fit into the main competition but that the festival would like to showcase. The Contrechamp section is significant because it allows the festival to highlight a wider variety of animated feature films, including works that may be more experimental or unconventional.