To the delight of fans of the peplum on the Russian screens released the new “Ben-Hur”. Historical drama about the Jewish descendant of a noble kind, betrayed by best friend Roman. The filmmakers insist that this is not a remake of the classic Oscar-winning 59-year, and a fresh interpretation of the cult novel by Lewis Wallace. Director Timur Bekmambetov said “the movie Industry” as he drove the chariot that the theme of “forgiveness” and why the whole story is remarkably relevant today.
Timur Bekmambetov told the “film Industry” about working on “Ben-Hur”
When Timur Bekmambetov proposed to take up the shooting of the new “Ben-Hur”, he hesitated for a long time. It is understandable — the eponymous film by William Wyler has become a real phenomenon in the film won eleven Oscars — by the way, for the first time in history. The comparison with the classics is imminent. So the Director decided — no “reincarnation”, and shifted the plot and semantic accents.
Director Timur Bekmambetov explains the difference in approaches:In the film, 59-year second brother was killed, and most importantly – where he was the villain, but in the movie, both brother Judah Ben-Hur and Messala — they’re both characters that we both love, understanding and just fate they pushed it.”
The report from the “film industry”
The basis of the narrative lies the drama of a man who lived 2,000 years ago, in the era of the Roman Empire. Heir of a noble kind of Judah Ben-Hur spends his best years in slavery. He lost everything: his status, position in society, family, love. He was betrayed by his best friend, the Roman Messala, with which they grew up as brothers. Starring British actor Jack Huston. Many remember him on the “Scam American way”. In order to look like after a hard life in the galleys, he lost 14 pounds. In the image of the mentor of Ben-Hur and Morgan Freeman. The actor has already worked with Bekmambetov at the site of action “Particularly dangerous”. This version of the iconic peplum was created in the Italian Matera so resembles ancient Jerusalem. There Pasolini filmed “the gospel of Matthew,” and Gibson’s “the passion of the Christ”. The shooting took place in the most realistic atmosphere. Even chariot races. They, incidentally, is constructed as close to historical reality. In the early paintings of the wagon was huge, and it is very low, in the words of Director, “almost a race car, “Formula 1”.
Movie about the filming of “Ben-Hur”
No slowdowns and accelerations, all filmed live with GoPro camera, making the audience feel like they rush through a red-hot arena. To create a “presence effect”, Bekmambetov personally took a test drive of the Quadriga! Confesses it was the biggest in his life, the release of adrenaline.
Timur Bekmambetov has shared his impressions of the tests of the chariot:Breakneck speed, flying in your dirt, dust, lumps of earth under the hoofs of the horses, because four horses, frothing at the mouth, no shock absorbers, no, so this is a terrible vibration, no belts, you can fly to the turn. And around you 32 horses racing at speeds of 50 km/hour!”
Trailer of the movie “Ben-Hur”
The new “Ben-Hur” is the fifth adaptation of the novel by Lewis Wallace, one of the most well-known American writers and historical figures. The novel immediately after the publication became a bestseller, critics dubbed him “the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century” and even “Second Bible.” Problems and issues raised there – eternal, and therefore touch today, says the Director.
Timur Bekmambetov told the “film Industry” about why the story of Ben-Hur is relevant today:Racial conflict, ethnic, radicalism, that is all that we hear today on TV there was. Interesting to see it all the time, because then salvation must have been just the idea of one person who came and said that we need to learn to forgive each other.
Because of this freedom a person needs something more than revenge…
