Filmmaker Ronnie del Carmen talks of his role as voice actor in 'Elemental'

Leave it to Fil-Am filmmaker Ronnie del Carmen to make you cry.

The director-animator-story supervisor-actor has been the person behind the emotional scenes of such movies as "Up," "Inside Out," "Finding Nemo," among others.

This year, the Cavite-born and UST-educated filmmaker is the voice of Bernie Lumen, the father of Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis) in the Disney and Pixar animated film, "Elemental."

Inspired by director Peter Sohn's childhood in New York, the movie is set in a world inhabited by the basic elements of fire, water, land and air. Fire element Ember Lumen and water element Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie) meet and fall in love when Wade is summoned by a plumbing accident at a convenience store owned by Ember's father Bernie (Del Carmen).

"Elemental", which premiered at Cannes, is the fourth feature film from Pixar Animation Studios to be presented in Cannes after "Up," "Inside Out," and "Soul."

We were able to interview Ronnie via Zoom and below are excerpts of our interview.

Congratulations Ronnie for being part of another classic Pixar movie "Elemental." Can you tell us how you got the role of Bernie Lumen?

Well, I got the role because I was hanging out at the studio with Peter Sohn who asked me to do reels. And we love him because he is so fun and funny, and he's a really great actor himself. And in turn, when he needs anyone's help, like if he asks me, "Hey, Ronnie, can you do scratch voice for me?" "Sure." "Can you do the voice of the dad on the movie that I'm developing?" "Sure, whatever you want," I replied to him.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar

"Elemental" director Peter Sohn said after the movie got a standing ovation at Cannes, "My heart is about to explode. This film has been about the richness of diversity. Our lives are better when there are different points of view." Why do you think diversity is important to be seen in films or television?

I feel that mission very, very potently in my own world as a storyteller because I think that when we see another human being's way of life, more human beings of diverse situations, their stories, we get to have empathy for their stories. But also, we get to see how much we're really all alike. And our world is always very challenging in many, many ways.

I think that it can only help if we see each other for how we are alike as opposed to how we are different. This movie, "Elemental," shows it in a very colorful way, that diversity and getting along with everybody in the world is something to celebrate. It actually makes our lives more beautiful and happier.

What do you think would be the gems of wisdom that audiences would get after watching "Elemental?"

I think it is part of that thing that Peter Sohn mentioned. I think that our initial shyness or hesitance to actually look into someone else's way of life is understandable. But I think that when we brave it, when we look in, when we actually reach out to understand each other in spite of what's seemingly is our difference, I think our lives become richer and not only fuller, and that it actually makes the world a better place if we do that.

I know it takes a lot of courage and work, but the reward, the joy. The harmony that we could stand to actually have if we do that is so much worth it. So, I hope that this message is something that people take away with when they watch the movie.

Photo courtesy of Ronnie del Carmen

What are you busy with nowadays?

Personally, I'm actually pursuing stories that are very meaningful to me. I'm developing as many stories as I can.

There are stories about my own upbringing, where I come from, things that I am fascinated with.

At this stage in my career, I would love to only work on movies that I choose to do, the things that I want to nurture and develop. That's keeping me busy. It's actually been very, very gratifying finally, to be able to focus on the stories that mattered to me.

When was the last time you were in the Philippines and when do you plan to go back?

I was just in the Philippines. I came back January this year. Celebrated the holidays there. Can't stay away. If I could actively manage it, I would be in the Philippines at least twice a year if I can.

What is your dream project?

Well, my dream project is to be able to make any one of these stories I'm developing and movies that people can watch someday. That is my dream project.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News