When Spanish director Pablo Berger read the conclusion of Robot Dreams, a classic graphic novel penned by American writer Sara Varon, he found himself overcome with emotion, shedding tears like a baby.

"It made me think about a lot of people I love, but also lost. I had never in my life, not even once, thought about making an animated film. But the end of the graphic novel was so powerful that if I wanted this story to be told, I had to do it," Berger told China Daily.

Marking the 61-year-old filmmaker's debut in animation, the film secured an Oscar nomination for best animated feature earlier this year, and clinched multiple esteemed accolades, such as the best independent feature at the 51st Annie Awards and the European Film Award for best animated feature.

Since its premiere on the Chinese mainland last month, the movie has amassed around 11.4 million yuan ($1.6 million) at the box office, earning a stellar rating of nine out of 10 on the country's influential review aggregator Douban. Its nationwide screenings will run until Aug 7.

Almost like a fairy tale, the film unfolds a dialogue-free story of an unlikely bond between a dog and a robot set in New York City in 1984. After sharing moments of sweet companionship, the duo retreats to a beach for relaxation, only for the robot to become stranded in the sand, its joints seized by rust from exposure to water.

As the dog tries several times but fails to free the immobilized robot before the beach closes for the season, the two friends face divergent paths. The dog navigates a solitary existence, making and losing new friends, while the robot remains lying on the shore, dreaming of being rescued. Their journey culminates in a poignant and tragic ending.

Berger recalls stumbling upon Varon's graphic novel for the first time in 2010 and immediately falling in love with its artwork and story.

"It was surprising, funny, surreal and emotional. But back then, I didn't think about making an animated film out of it," he recalls.

Eight years later, Berger decided to adapt the story into a feature-length film, which also marks his first animation work.

"Between 2010 and 2018, my best friend stopped being my best friend. I also lost my mother. I thought about how my heart was broken in New York. So, a combination of all these experiences and all these feelings are in the film," recalls Berger.

"I am the dog (the protagonist). He is my alter ego. A lot of the things that he does in the film, I did when I lived in New York," he adds.

A native of Bilbao in northern Spain, Berger showcased his talent in his directorial debut Mama, a short film, in 1988. The work enabled him to earn a scholarship to pursue a master's degree in film at New York University. Since then, he has lived in the city for 10 years.

Embarking on a cinematic journey in the following decades, the distinctively styled director, who has written all of the scripts for his directorial efforts, has created a string of acclaimed features, including the comedy Torremolinos 73(2003) and the black-and-white silent film Blancanieves (2012), a twist on Snow White.

"I became a filmmaker in New York. Robot Dreams is my love letter to the city. Some of the most special and happiest times in my life were there," recalls the director, adding that he also met Yuko Harami — who later became his wife and closest collaborator — in the city.

Turning his nostalgic memories of New York into an animated film, Berger shares that some elements in the film are inspired by his time living in the city, ranging from Central Park to Coney Island and the flea market in Chelsea.

Interestingly, Chinatown is also featured in the film, with a scene depicting the dog wandering into a location crowded with brands written in Chinese characters.

Describing this scene as one of his favorites, Berger reveals that Harami, who is also the producer, collaborated closely with the art director to select the streets, storefronts and signs. They also enlisted the help of a Chinese artist living in Madrid to ensure the accuracy of the written Chinese characters.

"When I lived in New York, I lived downtown, so Chinatown was not far from my apartment. I remember loving to go there. I got lost like a dog in the streets of Chinatown many times," recalls the nostalgic director.

One of his most vivid memories of Chinatown revolves around an arcade brimming with video games and pinball machines. "My favorite game was a big box made of glass with a chicken inside. After you inserted a coin, you would start playing tic-tac-toe against the chicken. And somehow the chicken always won. To this day, I still don't know how it is possible," he reflects on the amusing moments.

"Also, I used to go into Chinatown to eat. I ate dim sum for the first time. I ate jellyfish for the first time. I love real Chinese food," he says.

Describing the film as perhaps the most personal of his works, Berger expresses his hope that the story, characterized as a fable and tragic comedy, will resonate with Chinese audiences, inspiring them to reflect on the characters they identify with or aspire to become. To produce Robot Dreams, the director set up two animation studios in Madrid and Pamplona, recruiting around 120 individuals with about 70 being animators, and working for three years to bring the film to life.

Having a filmmaking career that extends over four decades, Berger harbors a deep-seated passion for cinema that traces back to his childhood, spent in a home enveloped by the allure of theaters.

"For me, going to the movies was my window to the world where I learned about life and relationships. Movies were my oracle and was the most fun thing to do," says the emotional director.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn