Pablo Berger won an Annie Award and was nominated for an Oscar this past awards season for his incredible feature Robot Dreams. NEON just kicked-off the film’s official North American theatrical release in New York City, and it will continue to expand to more cities across the nation throughout the summer, including Los Angeles starting this Friday June 7th. In this Animation Scoop Q&A, Berger shares what Robot Dreams has meant to him and audiences around the world. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: I saw “Robot Dreams” six months ago. I love it. Many have loved it who have already seen it, including the Annie Awards voters. How did it feel being up on stage, winning Best Independent Animated Feature?

Pablo Berger: It was amazing. The Annies is the Oscars of animation. Everybody is there. It was fantastic. The Annies is like a big party too. It’s a big celebration of the love of animation and a great experience. And we had many [other] nominations. My team was there. I was very excited to be there.

JM: I’m thrilled with the many accolades you’ve received. There are so many aspects of the film I want to get into with you. One is the use of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”. It’s a core element of this robot and dog story.

PB: When I wrote the script, in the first draft, I put in “September”. At the moment when I wrote it, I just needed a disco, funky song. Then I realized, “What if I make this song the main theme of Robot and Dog?” It appears so many times in the film, as you know. Later, when the production started, I realized that the theme of the film was in the lyrics. “Do you remember?”, and this film is about memory and how we overcome loss with a memory. And “the 21st night of September” — the movement from summer to autumn. The seasons are so important to the story. And I’m gonna even go a little further: my daughter was born on the 21st night of September. “Wow!” My head exploded. “I need this song!” My producers at the beginning were, “Are you sure, Pablo? Do you know how much money this is gonna cost?” But they spoiled me. They were able to get the music rights. They spent a fortune on it, but worth every single penny to have “September” in the film.

JM: Wow! That’s incredible! And the way you approach the story, which is based on a [graphic novel] by Sara Varon… is so deep. Were you surprised with how deep it all got for you as you were crafting this movie?

PB: (laughs) Well, I’m happy that’s how you felt with it. This is my fourth film. I turned 60 not so long ago. I try to make films that are more simple but more complex. For me, emotion is the most important part in cinema. So I wanted to make an emotional rollercoaster ride. And when I read the book, the end moved me so deeply it brought me to tears. So I said, “If I can make a film that can bring a lot of audiences to tears of joy… I’ll do it.” We had a very small team before the animators came, and we realized, “Oh my God, this film is going to be very emotional.” I hope many people when they come see the film get the same impact.

JM: I think they will. Dog orders Robot off the television. What have you ordered off the TV?

PB: (laughs) “Robot Dreams” is my most personal film because I am Dog. The apartment where Dog lives is my last apartment in New York. And sometimes I’ve been alone surfing through the channels. I never ordered anything. I should lie and say I ordered some kind of blanket. But so many times I wish that I had ordered something.

JM: The section with Robot and the birds is lovely, heartwarming and touching, especially for parents with young and older children.

RB: I grew up watching animation on TV when I was a kid. One of my favorite series was “Merrie Melodies”. A lot of times there were animals — especially birds — who behaved humanlike, with emotions. That scene in the… film we created this father/parent relationship about learning to fly and letting go. It’s one of my favorite scenes, without a doubt. That sequence could be like a little short film.

JM: Yes. Another section that I find very powerful is with Dog and Duck. Romantic relationships can have their ups and downs, and what we see through that… the way you present it and what can happen at the end of a relationship for those reasons really makes a lot of sense.

PB: (laughs) Yes! In the film you have different personalities. In relationships, sometimes we behave like different people. Sometimes we behave like Duck — someone you find in your life that’s perfect. They’re cool and know how to do everything. They’re so good looking that you say, “Why is that person with me?” I think we can do a spinoff with Duck.

JM: Absolutely. Since you’ve been through the film festivals, awards season and now the North American release, what does summer look like for you?

PB: We wanna be a summer blockbuster! (laughs) Arthouse! Let’s call it an arthouse blockbuster! We’re very excited about the release in the States. Next week it opens in China. The summer for me… I’m hoping after one year traveling with the film… I’d like to stop a little bit and think about my next adventure — my next film. And after that I have to go to Japan because the Japanese release is in October / November. But with the summer, I really hope to relax a little bit.

JM: You deserve that time. And [I think] you will always have these characters as a part of you even as you move on to your next project.

PB: Yes. They’re my children. They’re part of me. They’re my babies. But I have a feeling that they’re becoming over 18, so they’re now independent. “Robot Dreams” doesn’t belong to [me] anymore. It belongs to the audience. I’m so happy that they’re finally on their own.