AUSTIN, Texas — Will audiences laugh and learn from an anti-hate comedy featuring a comical version of Hitler?
- Premiered at Fantastic Fest
- In theaters October 25
- Won audience award at Toronto Film Festival
That's what filmmaker Taika Waititi hopes people will do with his film Jojo Rabbit.
It's new in local theaters Friday after a rousing U.S. premiere in Austin at Fantastic Fest. Jojo Rabbit also won the audience award at the Toronto Film Festival, putting it in the Oscar conversation for best picture.
The satire is about a German boy growing up obsessed with being a Nazi. Hitler is his imaginary best friend. There are some big stars in the cast, like Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, and Sam Rockwell.
Spectrum News' Victor Diaz talked to Johansson about the filmmaker's soft-hearted approach and the first reaction from audiences.
"I think the audience reaction in TIFF was so powerful," said Johannson. "The movie transformed in the theater with the audience, there was so much laughter and then the poignant moments you could hear a pin drop.”
I think it's just incredibly powerful to feel that shift in energy with a large group of people and you can feel people's minds opening up as you watch the film," said Johansson.
Waititi is a Jewish filmmaker from New Zealand who also stars as Hitler.
"From having conversations with people it’s like my version of being on the campaign trail. This film can change people and it can change the world in a small way but it’s also sad that we have to do this," said Waititi.
JoJo Rabbit is in limited release. It opens Friday in Austin and will expand to more cities in the coming weeks.