Read the excerpt below from "Gizmodo" article, "The Real Geology be Pixar's short film, Lava."
Pixar’s geological love storyLavaisn’t just meant to evoke the tropical islands of Hawaii; it’s actually inspired by a real underwater volcano off the coast of the Big Island. We spoke to the short film’s director and learned about the real geology simmering beneathLava.
“I took my family on vacation to the Big Island,”Lavadirector James Ford Murphy told us in an interview. “We took a helicopter tour and I saw Kīlauea and that was huge. Then, on the last day, we were all kind of sad and leaving and we were walking through this shopping mall that had this diorama of the Big Island. And it’s five volcanos that form the Big Island that have all merged together over time. But then there’s this little sign on the bottom that said ‘Lōʻihi.’ And I was like, ‘What is Lōʻihi?’
“So when I got home, I started doing my research and I found out that it is an underwater volcano that is slowly going to connect [to the Big Island]. And that just blew my mind, because I just thought, ‘Does Lōʻihi know that the Big Island is up here? And does the Big Island know that Lōʻihi [is down there]? And what if they didn’t know?’”
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QUESTION: How does the setting of the story (Hawaii, in the sea, all alone...eventually moving underwater) impact the theme of the story or the lesson we can learn about life?
The setting of the story, which takes place in Hawaii and revolves around an underwater volcano, impacts the theme of the story in several ways. Firstly, the choice of Hawaii as the setting allows for the portrayal of a tropical paradise, evoking a sense of beauty and serenity. This setting creates a contrast with the lonely and isolated existence of the volcano, Lōʻihi, which is described as being all alone underwater. The juxtaposition of the vibrant and bustling Hawaiian islands with the solitary and submerged Lōʻihi creates a sense of longing and yearning for connection.
The story's theme revolves around love and the yearning for companionship. The protagonist, Lōʻihi, desires to be noticed and loved by the Big Island, but feels isolated and disconnected from it. This longing for connection can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for love and companionship. The gradual movement of Lōʻihi towards the surface of the water represents the perseverance in pursuing love and the hope of finally finding that connection. The story teaches us the lesson that love and companionship are worth striving for, even if it takes time and effort.
Additionally, the underwater setting of the story adds a layer of symbolism. Underwater can represent a hidden and unseen world, mirroring the hidden feelings and desires of the characters. It also symbolizes the depth of emotions and the complex nature of relationships. The fact that Lōʻihi is an actual underwater volcano off the coast of Hawaii adds a sense of authenticity and reinforces the connection between the fictional story and the real geological phenomenon.
Overall, the setting of the story in Hawaii, with its underwater volcano, enhances the theme of love and connection, while also providing symbolic depth to the narrative.