Oregon Coast Scenery Provides Backdrop for New Disney Animated Film
When you see “Far from the Tree,” a new Disney animated short film, you might notice the scenery looks familiar.
The film’s backdrop resembles the Oregon coast. Offshore, you’ll even see an animated image of Cannon Beach’s iconic Haystack Rock.
That’s because the seven-minute film was written and directed by Natalie Nourigat, who grew up in Portland. In creating the film, she drew inspiration from her own recollection of childhood visits to the Oregon coast.
In an interview with NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Nourigat, said “Far From the Tree” was “based on something really personal. She recalled, “growing up in Oregon, going to the beach with my family and how special it was just to all be together.”
The story centers upon a parent and child raccoon who ventures from their forest home to explore a Pacific Northwest shoreline filled with new and engaging sights, smells, and sounds.
The child raccoon joyfully explores the beach, from tidepools and seashells to puffins and seagulls. Yet, while the child raccoon romps, the parent warns of the dangers amid the beauty.
After the shared adventures, including clam digging, the two return to their home in the woods. They reflect on the shared day over a treasured seashell brought home as a souvenir.
In that way, the story mirrors how so many people wind down after a memorable visit to the magical Oregon coast.
The charming film ends with a dedication “to parents everywhere who are doing their very best….thank you.“
You can enjoy the film now in theatres or streaming on Disney+.
You can enjoy the Oregon coast and Haystack Rock in person anytime, especially from an oceanfront room at Tolovana Inn.
g to a recent online article in The Huffington Post, Cannon Beach tops the list of the 10 Beaches That Are Better in the Off Season. Key reasons cited are smaller crowds, empty swaths of sandy beaches and lower lodging rates in September and beyond.
n and National Wildlife Refuge. And, the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) provides both staff and volunteers daily throughout the summer to guide beachcombers and answer questions about the natural world.
teward, visitors are reminded that the intertidal areas around Haystack Rock are fragile ecosystems. Guests are encouraged to tread lightly around the tide pools and stay on sand or small bare rock to avoid stepping on vulnerable animals like anemones and barnacles. Be gentle as you observe wildlife in its natural state, being sure to leave the natural environment undisturbed.