If these walls could talk…
That phrase is often said about the sites of well-known historical events, but it also applies to the private places where we spend most of our lives. In his upcoming film Here, director Robert Zemeckis puts a new spin on that idea, exploring what would happen if these walls could see.
Here takes place entirely from one fixed point of view. The camera never budges. It doesn’t zoom and never even turns. What does move—and rather quickly—is time. More than a century of life in one American living room plays out during the brisk 104-minute story.The single perspective never changes, but everything around it does,
Zemeckis tells Vanity Fair in this exclusive first look.
A Risky New Perspective by Zemeckis
The film, debuting on November 15th, stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright in a story script penned by Zemeckis alongside Eric Roth. This collaboration is reminiscent of their earlier Oscar-winning effort, Forrest Gump. As Zemeckis comments,What passes by this view of the universe? I think it’s an interesting way to do a meditation on mortality. It taps into the universal theme that everything passes.
Although Here’s focal point doesn’t change, the actors do. Hanks portrays a baby boomer named Richard who ages into his late 80s and also goes backward to when Richard was a young man in the 1960s—thanks to traditional makeup effects and digital de-aging techniques. Wright joins as Richard’s girlfriend and later wife, Margaret.Eric and I wrote our generation,
says Zemeckis.
Technical Feats and Challenges
Transforming actors extensively can be tricky even with state-of-the-art tools. Zemeckis notes,I’ve always been attracted to technology that helps me to tell a story.
His films like The Polar Express, Beowulf, and A Christmas Carol pioneered digital performers over two decades ago. Even Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, used similar de-aging techniques.
A Look Through Time
Zemeckis ensuressuccessfully cracking the transformation is as much about the voices as the visuals.
The performances by Hanks and Wright involve them channeling energy reminiscent of their younger selves.They have to bring that energy, bring that kind of posture, and even raise their voices higher.
A Unique Cinematic Experience
The movie doesn’t use typical smash cuts for time transitions but deploys gradual ones through evolving props like televisions or radios, blending past scenes smoothly into new ones.The whole point was to make the story identifiable,
says Zemeckis.
Tapestry of Characters
The narrative weaves together stories of inhabitants over decades. Paul Bettany (playing Al) returns home after World War II while Kelly Reilly’s Rose navigates limited opportunities for women.Bettany‘s character anchors significant moments like the wedding scene involving characters played by Tom Hanks and Robin Wright.
A Story Spanning Eras
Other timelines explored include those of previous house residents portrayed by Michelle Dockery and Gwilym Lee during early 20th century phases.
Zemeckis adds,The film speaks to the truth that we have to accept that everything changes.
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