April in Paris

"There is Paramount Paris and Metro Paris and of course the real Paris.

Paramount's is the most Parisian of all." - Ernst Lubitsch

Ernst Lubitsch was possibly the wittiest of 20th century filmmakers, but even he probably couldn't have imagined adding to the list of his famous aphorism "Paris, Serbia" - the recreation of 19th century Paris springing to life on the stages of Pink Studios outside of Belgrade in April 2012 for the production of Emile Zola's classic tragic love story "Therese Raquin". 

 

I don't know if this production will be the most Parisian of all, but if it is it will be thanks to the efforts of our very talented and not-French production designer, Uli Hanisch from Cologne, with whom I had the pleasure of working twelve years ago in Italy on the production of Tom Tykwer's "Heaven" and have happily reunited on this show.

Uli is the wizardly alchemist who makes this:

into this:

Which when all the last nails are hammered will conjure up the illusions for our cameras that will turn Serbia into this:

                  

and this:

Does every great production designer grow up reading Sir Walter Scott's verse:

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!"

As Ernst Lubistch knew, our celluloid dreams are made of just such deceptions.

Enjoy!

william

 

 

Comments

[Elsita]

Pure magic Billy!
I know that the movie will look great.
I can't wait to see the finished work.
Missing U!
Elsi :)

[Janet M]

I wasn't sure how these pictures come together into a movie set, but then I started reading Sidney Lumet's book "Making Movies". It's interesting the alchemy that turns fantasy into glorious reality in a film.

[Daniel Bryant]

Just incredible. The magic of movie making. I was at Pinewood the other day and had a peek through into the 007 soundstage............. Wow! Just wish that this was my job