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A Lava Story: Pixar Short Features Hawaiian Volcanoes in Love

Pixar's new animated short, "Lava."
Pixar's new animated short, "Lava."Pixar

Pixar Animation Studios will release a short film, “Lava,” in front of its summer feature film, “Inside Out,” this June. “Lava” is a musical love story set in Hawaii that takes place over millions of years.

"I wanted to tell a love story between two volcanoes that takes place over millions and millions of years,” director James Ford Murphy told NBC News, “that reflects my love of Hawaiian geology, music, and culture, and also celebrates our characters as a place.”

Inspired by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over the Rainbow," the short film centers on a love lorn volcano, all alone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, looking for someone to “lava.” It features the voices of Kuana Torres Kahele and Napua Greig, and lush and sparkling scenes of Hawaii’s natural beauty, including whales jumping out of the sea and sea turtles nuzzling on the shore.

“My message to viewers who want to see it,” Kuana Torres Kahele part of the popular Hawaiian Music group, Na Palapalai, and winner of five No Hoku Hanohano awards, told local media, “Bring a tissue. Because you’re going to need it for the first two, three minutes.”

“Inside Out” and “Lava” are scheduled for release on June 19.

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