"Is this truly the path you envision for your entire existence, aimlessly drifting through life with no defined direction?" The inquiry resonates with an unexpected charm, serving as the backdrop to Cartuna's revealing trailer for an indie animated gem titled "Boys Go to Jupiter." This whimsical venture marks the directorial debut of animator and 3D artist Julian Glander, whose visionary tale first captivated audiences at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and has since enchanted crowds at festivals in Nashville and Denver, among others.
Set against the backdrop of suburban Florida, this dreamy and surreal animated film follows a teenage hustler named Billy, whose mission is to scrape together $5,000 amidst an absurd and musically infused coming-of-age comedy. Billy's journey forces him to confront profound decisions about love, friendship, and the lengths to which he'll go for financial stability in a world dominated by capitalism. The voice talents of Jack Corbett, Tavi Gevinson, Elsie Fisher, Janeane Garofalo, Julio Torres, Max Wittert, and Demi Adejuyigbe bring this quirky tale to life.
Inspired by Google Street View escapades through Tampa's streets, the nostalgic allure of suburban youth, and a critical eye towards the capitalism and techno-feudalism of modern society, "Boys Go to Jupiter" was self-produced and meticulously animated over 90 days using Blender, the same software behind "Flow." The result is a mesmerizing blend of creativity, uniqueness, and wild entertainment, packaged in a quirky and strange narrative that demands to be experienced.
The story unfolds on the day after Christmas in suburban Florida, where Billy, affectionately known as Billy 5000, and his friends while away their seemingly endless days lounging, shoplifting, and beatboxing. Between beach relaxation and pool trespassing, Billy toils on the food-delivery app Grubster, desperate to amass $5,000 before New Year's Eve. His dash through the city, delivering to an array of eclectic characters, leads him to a fateful stop at Dolphin Groves Juice Company, where he encounters his former classmate and object of affection, Rozebud, and an unexpected stowaway in the form of Donut, a bizarre extraterrestrial creature.
Dr. Dolphin, the omnipotent CEO of the orange juice empire, will stop at nothing to reclaim Donut. Amidst this surreal backdrop, Billy is confronted with profound decisions about love, friendship, and his commitment to financial security in a capitalist society. Julian Glander, renowned for his short films and collaborations with Adult Swim, Disney, HBO Max, and Cartoon Network, writes and directs this animated feature, marking his feature-length directorial debut. Produced by Glander and executive produced by Peisin Yang Lazo, "Boys Go to Jupiter" initially premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and is set for a limited theatrical release in the US by Cartuna, beginning August 8th, 2025.
Who's ready for an interstellar adventure wrapped in the comfort of suburban Floridian flair?
