Are you a fan of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Elio, Chupa and fun, alien-style stories filled with friendship and wonder? Then Arco might just become your next favourite movie! Even though it’s not about an alien, a time traveller from the future brings the same magic and excitement.

This French animated science-fantasy film has wowed audiences at film festivals and even won an Academy Award, making it a truly special watch. At its heart, it’s about friendship, especially the kind that forms between people who are very different, yet deeply connected.

From the very first scene, Arco pulls you into a bright, colourful world full of imagination, adventure and emotion.

The story follows Arco, a curious and brave young boy living in the year 2932, high above the clouds, far away from Earth. His parents and older sister are time travellers, so it’s no surprise that Arco dreams of exploring too. Wanting to visit the dinosaur era, he secretly sneaks away one night and ends up on Earth in the year 2075.

In this future world, robots help run daily life, and everything feels faster and more advanced than today. Arco meets Iris, a kind 10-year-old girl, her baby brother Peter and their friendly robot caretaker, Mikki. Since Iris’s parents are busy working in the city, she spends most of her time on her own, until Arco arrives and changes everything.

But there’s also trouble. Three clumsy brothers are searching for Arco, hoping to catch him and uncover his secrets. Co-written and directed by Ugo Bienvenu, the film also features actors like Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Will Ferrell and America Ferrera.

One of the best things about Arco is its animation.

The film uses visuals so beautifully and both 2075 and 2932 are presented in a creative and believable way, making these futuristic worlds easy to accept.

There is one small downside: Arco and Iris don’t always listen to their parents and sometimes break the rules, which may not be the best example for younger viewers.

Overall, Arco is a fun, heartwarming film for kids and families. It’s exciting, colourful and filled with important lessons about friendship, courage and understanding others. No wonder it won an Oscar, it’s a movie that stays with you long after it ends.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 4th, 2026

You lied today. Probably more than once, and you didn’t even notice.

This is a harsh reality. We lie more than we think. People will tell you they’re honest, but research suggests the average person lies once or twice a day. Much of it isn’t even intentional; it just slips out.

And then there are the lies we consciously choose to tell — sometimes to keep the peace, sometimes to avoid conflict and sometimes to hide a truth that might hurt someone for no reason.

The lies we don’t even notice

This is called unconscious lying. You meet a friend and they ask, “How are you?”

From unconscious habits to intentional choices, lying exists in many forms. These small, everyday lies influence our lives more than we realise

Before you even think, out of habit, you reply, “Good, thanks.”

Maybe you slept four hours, your back hurts and you have a test tomorrow, but you still say “good”. You don’t even think about it. It just comes out.

Psychologists call this ‘social lubrication’. These small lies keep daily interactions running smoothly. Because if we told the full truth every time, things could get uncomfortable.

Imagine replying, “I’m exhausted, I don’t want to be here, I just want to go home.” It may be true, but not every conversation needs that level of honesty.

White lies feel like kindness

A white lie is a harmless lie told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. For example, your friend shows you a haircut they love, but you think it looks terrible. What do you say? Unless you’re blunt, you’ll probably respond, “Nice…” without hesitation.

Similarly, saying “The dinner was amazing” when it wasn’t, or “I love this gift” when you know you’ll never use it — these feel normal. They don’t feel like lies, but technically, they are.

The lies we tell ourselves

Also called self-deception, this is perhaps the most common form of lying. Everyone around you may see it before you do. Your friends know you’re struggling with a subject. Your family knows you’re avoiding something. But you keep convincing yourself that everything is fine.

Sometimes, it’s not about hiding the truth from others — you’re simply not ready to face it yourself.

We live among people, emotions, expectations and consequences. Over time, we have become comfortable with lying within these boundaries. But that doesn’t make it right. Repeated lies, especially those that hurt others, can damage both your personality and your relationships.

At the same time, small, harmless compliments can brighten someone’s day, even if they aren’t entirely true.

Remember, trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild. And as you grow older, you realise that a hard truth is almost always better than a comfortable lie.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 4th, 2026