Sundance Film Festival 2023: “The film has many layers, and it’s hard to pin down what it is.” Interview With Director Toby Genkel Of THE AMAZING MAURICE

Great animation, adorable critters, and the underlying thought-provoking themes at play make Sundance film The Amazing Maurice charming, if not amazing.

I was able to chat with one of the directors, Toby Genkel, of the Sundance Film Festival 2023 pick, The Amazing Maurice. It’s a funny, wonderfully animated film that dangled some deeper, emotional themes. I talked to him about those elements, the difficulty of an adaptation such as this, the message he’s hoping viewers will take away, and much more:

This interview has been edited for clarity.

This is Kristy Strouse from Film Inquiry: Let’s talk about The Amazing Maurice. Did you know the story beforehand? 

Toby Genkel: I wasn’t familiar with the novel prior to the producer bringing it to me.

So, going into this without knowing the story, what was your initial thought? Were you visualizing where you wanted to go with it? 

Toby Genkel:  The way Terry Pratchett writes it’s like it’s a film already. The book had darker themes, so it was really about, how could we get this on screen? What we tried to do is to capture that precious spirit as well as we possibly could, you know what these books are so amazingly written and his, you know, he has this very own way of mixing this wacky humor and this social commentary. It’s very, very unique. And we were really trying to capture that spirit and bring it on screen. And I hope we succeeded. But this is really something we try to do.

Yeah, absolutely. Even though it is a children’s movie, I think that there are definitely a lot of themes and things that are a bit deeper than that adults can really kind of pick up on.

Toby Genkel: Yes, absolutely. There is a kid’s level and an adult’s level. And then it all makes up for hopeful entertainment for all of them. And the great thing about Terry Pratchett is that he doesn’t shy away from going to dark places. And I don’t mean literally dark places, which we have. But also in terms of emotionally dark places. And he takes the team, it’s so great, that we take the kids seriously and we challenge them. And, of course, we have to be very responsible with that, to find the right balance to it. But I think, I just hope we found the right balance there. Between the dark and the light places.

Yeah, I think so!

Toby Genkel: It was a delicate thing to do.

Yeah, I’m sure that must have been challenging, but you do a great job with it.

Toby Genkel: Thank you so much.

Yeah, of course. And the animation is beautiful.

Toby Genkel: Thank you! I will pass this along to the team

How did you collect such a terrific cast of voices?

Toby Genkel: I didn’t know if they could pull it off, but they really did. I was skeptical in the beginning because these are big names. I am not usually used to working with such talent, I confess, no secrets there. But yeah, and so the cast came, to be built step by step. I think what probably really helped is that we had a Pratchett book, and a really good script and that was a thing that just convinced the actors to go with us.

Was this your first Sundance?

Toby Genkel: Oh, yes. Yeah.

Congrats! How has your experience been so far?

Toby Genkel: A bit surreal. You wake up in the morning and go, “Oh man, Sundance!” But it’s amazing, I’m just happy.

Yeah, absolutely. What was it like experiencing the premiere and seeing reactions?

Toby Genkel: We were very happy. It was a lovely mixed audience, lots of kids there and parents. So, it really, really worked well. And I was pretty worked up after I have to say, but in a very nice way, you know, it was just like, big relief, a big relief. I’m very grateful.

That’s lovely. What would you like people to take away from the film?

Toby Genkel: I guess a peaceful, peaceful coexistence of everyone, pretty much. You know, it’s this one big headline, but then I would say is, of course, a celebration of storytelling too, there’s a great line: “If you don’t write your own story, you just become part of somebody else’s story”. This is what I really want people to take home from it. You know, not only the kids, everybody, all of us,  it’s just a great thing. Let’s print it on T-shirts!

It is a great quote and a terrific answer! It is more than just cute animals working together.

Toby Genkel: Absolutely, yes, there’s so much more to it. I find it a good sign that it is hard to pick actually what the movie is about because people will take different things from it. For all of them. Some messages I took they totally resonate with me. So the film has many layers, and it’s hard to pin down what it is. Every hero in the film, and there are many of them, tey all have their full circle. You know, they all have their little own adventure that are all connected And they all come to a conclusion, the end. So what would make me happy is if everybody finds a character in this film that they can relate to. Specifically. I mean, of course, I hope the audience relates to all of them. But everybody can pick one.

And what’s your character?

Toby Genkel: Of course, you know, the only correct answer if there is one, would be all of them.They are all a part of me, our children and I would never pick.

[Laughs] Yes, they are all a part of you!

Toby Genkel: I have to say, though, that I have a thing for Keith. You know, because he’s the criminal who has to rise to the occasion. It’s something I can totally relate to, you know, the guy who’s not very self-confident, who does not believe in himself. But then look at him, you know, he’s afraid. He doesn’t want to do it, but he does it anyway. And then he comes around to find his own way, and saves the day at the end. So this is great. But you know what, I love Malicia. I mean, how can you not love her? And Maurice, he’s really not a nice guy in the beginning. So I’m not familiar enough with English I only have very bad words to describe it. But he’s really not being a pleasure to be around, he doesn’t respect the rats.

He’s looking down on everyone and yeah, he comes a long way.

Toby Genkel: Yes, exactly.

Thank you so much for taking the time and congratulations!

Film Inquiry would like to thank Toby Genkel for taking the time to speak with us!