Oscar nominations: ‘How to Train Dragon Your Dragon’ director says he doesn’t make movies for kids
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Dean DeBlois, the director and writer of the animated “How to Train Your Dragon,” says he doesn’t make movies for kids, and that’s why his now-Oscar-nominated film connected with audiences so much.
He said that he and Chris Sanders, the movie’s co-director and co-writer, “have the same mentality about this: We don’t make movies for children. We wanted to make a story like the adventure stories we loved as kids. I think in a way that achieves the broadest audience possible.”
“Dragon” was nominated for best animated film, alongside “The Illusionist” and “Toy Story 3.” But “Toy Story 3” also was one of the 10 nominees in the general best picture category –- something that thrilled DeBlois.
“The culture has changed,” he said Tuesday morning, “and I think people are starting to see animated films, I think, with an eye towards importance. I’m very proud.”
“Dragon” received a second nomination, in the category of original score.
DeBlois said he’s proud of and excited for his entire crew. “We had very little time to work on the movie, at the end of the movie. It’s so nice to have a movie you can take your spouse and loved ones to see it and be proud of it and for it,” he said, calling the nomination “the cherry on the sundae.”
-- Amy Kaufman