Why Polish? - Avalon (2001) Discussion

[–] Stainless_Steel_Rat 19 years ago

My understanding is that it was filmed in Poland at least because it was cheap, so perhaps they used Polish actors on this basis and hence it became Polish language.

I could be completely wrong of course, and I would also like to know for sure.

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[–] Vassago 19 years ago

...about being wrong, that is. Absolutely wrong.

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[–] Stainless_Steel_Rat 19 years ago

So what's the right answer?

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[–] Kodaemon 19 years ago

I think I can answer that :)

Here's an excerpt from an interview with Oshii from the april/march 2002 issue of the polish anime magazine Kawaii (translated from Polish by myself, sorry for any bad english)

"During my student days I loved Polish films. They left me with an impression of Poland and it's cities, the atmosphere - heavy and gloomy. This world, I felt, fit in with my story. Thus I decided to go to Poland and see it with my own eyes. I liked it very much. I found places which ideally matched what I had in mind. At that time I still thought I'd bring japanese actors and a japanese cameraman, just like it's usually done when making a film abroad. But during my stay I decided that Id go with a necessary minimum, that is - with an assistant and a scriptographer, and have local people for actors and staff. I thought it would be more interesting to work this way. Twelve years ago I made a film entitled "Kerberos, jigoku-no banken" in Taiwan, with a half-japanese half-taiwanese crew. It was very complicated. So I prefered to make a choice: either work with only Japanese people or with Polish people, otherwise it won't work. People in the film industry in Poland have lots of experience, and because I liked polish films, the thought of this kind of cooperation quickly evolved. I also wanted to direct this film in a completely new enviroment and a system totally different from what I had known before. I planned to digitally edit the film in Japan anyway, so I figured I'd manage somehow, but everything went way smoother than I planned."

In another interviev (I can't find it right now...) Oshii also mentioned lower costs and that european actors are more appealing to japanese viewers when it comes to sci-fi films.

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[–] Stainless_Steel_Rat 19 years ago

Ahhh, thanks for the correct answer

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[–] Robby735 19 years ago

Thanks a lot kodaemon for the great answer. That explains it. What he did is unique I think, you don't often see someone doing this, unless it is for money (like a known Japanese director given money by Hollywood to make an American film, that isn't very unique..)

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[–] Elocin4684 19 years ago

Destructo Dude, I really can't stand people like you. Somebody was asking a simple question as to why a director that most likely didn't speak Polish would go direct a movie in Poland for no apparent reason. The story didn't have to take place there.

It's not racist. It's a question of curiousity. I was wondering that myself. I would ask why an American director would go direct a film in Poland that's story line had nothing specific to do with Poland. It could take place anywhere.

As for your terrible, terrible examples, please allow me to poke holes in them.

Where should I start?
Antoine Fuqua... he's American. He's making a film in English (his native tongue) that is going to be a major release in America. You are the one pointing out that he's black. Do you think he shouldn't be directing King Arthur?
Lee Tamahori... he's from New Zealand, which is closely tied with the UK, which Die Another Day is a James Bond film which is from... can you guess? the UK! And his mom his British. Wow, I don't think I could pick a better one. Did you know that? Or did you think he was Asian because of his name?
Ang Lee... well, what other language and what other country would the Hulk take place in? Ang Lee couldn't go direct it in Taiwan. The Hulk is American. This is unlike Avalon, that could have taken place in Japan when one looks at the story.

So, remember when you told that person to grow up? Maybe you should. People are going to ask questions like this all the time, and if this is the worst kind of question you've ever run across, then you must be living in a nice little bubble.

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[–] haewatein 13 years ago

I agree with Elocin.

Destructo, you're **cking ridiculous. Phew on you!
I mean... Jesus Christ, what IMDB are you reading? imdb.com/pillsaregoodforyou

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[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] valentinariva 18 years ago

it's because he needed easy access to military equipment. Japan banned him from using it and the only country that agree to let him use military equioment (cheap too) was Polland. Also Oshii loves Europe

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[–] Wakanohana 18 years ago

He probably got a good deal on the orchestra and choir, too.

The music is fantastic. Face it, the music makes the difference between middling and pretty-good. Give the movie a cheap techno soundtrack, and a lot of folks would never sit through it.

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[–] log_lady 17 years ago

I seem to remember Oshii talking about admiring the beauty of Polish women, too, though I could be wrong.

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[–] NeronBurningRome 17 years ago

I've heard that Oshii was making the film in Poland/Polish becouse this is a sci-fic movie and there is nothing more sci-fic for Japanese than Poland.

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[–] miszel 16 years ago

Originally, he and his producers wanted to shoot in Germany but the Bundeswehr was reluctant to let him use so much of their equipment. The Polish Army didn't have a problem with giving him all the tanks, APCs, and logistical support he needed to bring his vision to life, cheap.

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[–] moritzge 16 years ago

Despite that his films are mostly typical cyberpunk, Mythologic and religious elements are very present in his films. Well Poland still has a lot of this mythologic and religious atmosphere, since it's it's one of the most christian countries in whole europe and a lot of the cities still contain old heritage from the middleages. I guess that this was also a reasonm, that he felt that the country was fitting for a movie of this kind.

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