The Grove in Los Angeles is spending this weekend as the real-world home of an artificial friend. A free, public pop-up activation tied to the upcoming film “Klara and the Sun” opened Friday and continues through Saturday, bringing a gift shop, photobooth, charm-making class and cotton candy station to the shopping center's outdoor spaces.
The activation, which started Friday at 5 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. Saturday, is free and open to anyone who wants to wander through, according to KTLA. Among the attractions is a recreation of “The Friend Store,” a setting from the film where guests can explore the experience and snap a photo, per UncoverLA, which also pinpoints the gathering at The Park at The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive.
“Klara and the Sun” is based on the best-selling novel by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro, and the film version was written and directed by Taika Waititi, per Deadline. The story centers on an artificial friend, played by Jenna Ortega, who wants nothing more than to find a home. Rounding out the cast are Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Natasha Lyonne and Steve Buscemi, the station's report notes.
A Sweet Tie-In Beyond The Grove
The film's marketing push extends past the pop-up's two-day run. “Klara and the Sun” has struck a partnership with La La Land, which is serving up an exclusive, limited-edition Klara and the Sun Mango Passion Fruit Lemonade Refresher. The drink will be available at select La La Land locations across Los Angeles, though only for a limited time, per the same account.
For fans eager to see what all the fuss is about on the big screen, the wait won't be long. “Klara and the Sun” hits theaters on Oct. 23, giving the weekend pop-up the feel of an early preview for a story about connection, loneliness and what it means to belong somewhere.
