With the idea that "music is life," Pixar has released a new clip from its upcoming animated movie Soul highlighting one of its moving tracks. The new clip, which was shared as part of the Essence Festival of Culture virtual panel, offers a sneak peek at one of the featured song, "Parting Ways," and it gives us a sense of the deep journey we're about to go on.
Soul is a film about finding your passion and discovering yourself, or rather "What is it that makes you... YOU?" The film follows Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a middle school band teacher who gets the chance to play at the best jazz club in town. Unfortunately, a small misstep sends him to The Great Before, where souls get their personalities before they go to Earth.
There's more to the premise of the movie but at the core, Soul is a journey "discover the answers to life's most important questions." Soul figures to be an emotional film about finding oneself and the lyrics of "Parting Ways" certainly encapsulates that, especially when combined with moments from the film.
"Spend your precious hours doing what will bring out the real you, the brilliant passionate you that's ready to contribute something meaningful into this world," Foxx's Joe Gardner says in the clip. "Get ready. Your life is about to start."
What is it that makes you...YOU? This November, Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new feature film “Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.
Soul is directed by Academy Award-winner Pete Doctor (Inside Out, Up) and co-directed by Kemp Powers (One Night in Miami). Producer Dana Murray partnered with American anthropologist/educator Dr. Johnnetta Cole and globally-renowned jazz pianist Jon Batiste, both of whom served as cultural consultants on the film and lent their expertise to the jazz arrangements and compositions in the film.
Soul was originally supposed to arrive in theaters this summer. However, COVID-19 caused its delay and it is now slated to hit theaters on November 20.