We’re going global with this episode of BEHIND THE LENS thanks to our exclusive prerecorded interviews talking with writer/director MICHAEL KOCH about the beauteous and emotional, A PIECE OF SKY, Switzerland’s submission for the 95th Academy Awards as Best Foreign Language Film, and then writer/director SEBASTIAN LELIO talking about his award-worthy film, THE WONDER.
First up, take a listen as writer/director MICHAEL KOCH talks about A PIECE OF SKY, Switzerland’s submission for the 95th Academy Awards as Best Foreign Language Film. A quiet, reflective, and thoughtful film that tacitly explores the relationship between man and nature, life and death, A PIECE OF SKY is one of the most emotionally beautiful films of the year; not to mention that stunning multi-season imagery of the Swiss mountains.
Set in a remote alpine village, (Michèle Brand) works both as a waitress and mail carrier to support her young daughter. She has fallen deeply in love with the village newcomer, Marco (Simon Wisler), a strong and silent farmhand from the lowlands. But soon after their wedding, Marco is diagnosed with a brain tumor. As the seasons change, his behavior grows increasingly erratic, leading up to a severe transgression that threatens to tear the young family apart.
An interesting conversation as Michael discusses the film’s themes, casting non-actors, visual imagery, shooting over the course of a year in order to capture all of the seasons, challenges of shooting on the side of a mountain and in getting equipment to certain locations, sound design and mix and the importance of silence, score, use of a specific needle drop, the “Greek chorus” concept, and so much more. Enthusiastic and excited not only about the film itself, you can hear his joy when discussing the honor of having his film selected for Oscar submission by Switzerland.
Then listen to writer/director SEBASTIAN LELIO discuss the award-worthy film THE WONDER. Directed by Lelio and co-written with Alice Birch based on Emma Donoghue’s acclaimed novel and inspired by the 19th-century phenomenon of the “fasting girls”, THE WONDER is a stunning psychological thriller set in The Irish Midlands in 1862 where eleven-year-old Anna has stopped eating for months but remains miraculously alive and in relatively well state. Tourists have flocked to the small village to bear witness to Anna, believing her to be a miracle destined for sainthood. In an effort to discover the truth, the village council brings in English nurse Lib Wright to observe Anna and report her findings. Is this a miracle or is there something else afoot?
Sebastian covers all aspects of the film, starting with the examination of patriarchal society, religion, and desperation or desperation to control and an exploration into the beliefs and personal justification of each character. A highly visualized film, much time is spent discussing the visuals and working with cinematographer Ari Wegner and production designer Grant Montgomery to create a visual grammar that is observational in tone while immersing us in the dichotomy of the thematics and situation. We also discuss sound design and mix which goes hand in hand with the visual identity of the film. And of course, the period perfection of costuming and the exemplary cast led by Florence Pugh.
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