Ellen Burstyn and taika Waititi Join kornél Mundruczó’s ‘Place to Be’

Oscar winners Ellen Burstyn and Taika Waititi are set to star in Kornél Mundruczó’s upcoming drama, Place to Be, promising a thought-provoking exploration of aging, visibility, and unforeseen connections. The film is supported by Screen NSW Made in NSW fund.

Auteur’s Vision and Star Power

Kornél Mundruczó, the Hungarian director celebrated for his critically acclaimed film White God and the Oscar-nominated Netflix feature pieces Of A woman, aims to delve into the complexities of human connection with his latest project. Mundruczó stated,”I have always been interested in the true nature of coincidence. The way certain unforeseen encounters can turn out to be fateful events for us.”

Place To Be explores the theme of becoming “invisible” over time, which Mundruczó explains as “about the absurdity of how, over time, a person becomes invisible in their own life. But losing visibility does not necessarily mean losing oneself. In fact, it can led us and those who meet us to a deeper understanding.” This concept suggests a narrative rich in character development and introspection, fitting perfectly with Mundruczó’s previous works.

Casting Choices and Their Importance

The casting of Ellen Burstyn and Taika Waititi brings together two generations of acting talent. Mundruczó expressed his excitement about working with Burstyn again, stating: “I had every desire to direct the legendary Ellen Burstyn in a leading role, not only because I admire her amazing talent, but also because the time has finally come to celebrate older women on screen. With the immensely talented taika Waititi, I hope I have found the perfect accomplice for this exciting journey.”

Burstyn herself conveyed her enthusiasm, saying: “It still surprises and delights me to be working at my age and I am thrilled to be going on this ‘road trip’ with Taika and Kornel. To return to stunning Australia is a special treat indeed.” Her statement highlights the significance of continued opportunities for older actors and the allure of the film’s setting.

Waititi shared a personal connection to the role, relating it to his relationship with his mother. “This is unlike any role I’ve ever done and I’ve always adored Ellen’s work. all of us are just navigating this weird journey of getting older and figuring out who the hell we are along the way, so when I read the script, I was deeply moved by Kata’s words and Kornel’s vision. Growing up in New Zealand, it was just me and my mum—this tiny dynamic duo against the world. When this role came along, I thought, ‘Oh my god, it’s like me and mum all over again, except we’ve both aged several decades overnight and Ellen gets to be the Thelma to my Louise.’ Though I’m still not entirely sure which one of us drives off the cliff in this scenario.”

Production Details and Team

The film is produced by Jomon Thomas (Monkey Man, Hotel Mumbai), Megan Wynn (Together, Poker Face), and Alexander rodnyansky (Loveless, Beanpole). Natalya Pavchinskaya (S’YA Concept), Stuart Manashil, Pankaj Mamtora (Lonestar Films), Kanesh Mohana Sundaram (GVKM Elephant Pictures), Ashley Levinson, Sam Levinson, Viktoria Petranyi, David Edelstein and the late Kevin Turen are listed as executive producers.

WME Autonomous is handling international sales, indicating meaningful interest in the film’s potential reach and impact.

Practical Applications and Takeaways

• Embrace Unforeseen Connections: The film’s exploration of chance encounters turning into fateful events encourages viewers to be open to unexpected relationships and opportunities.
• Value Visibility at All Ages: Mundruczó’s focus on celebrating older women on screen highlights the importance of representing diverse age groups in media and society.
• Find Deeper Meaning: The concept of finding oneself through losing visibility suggests that moments of introspection and solitude can lead to profound self-finding.

Conclusion

Place to Be promises to be a compelling drama that delves into the complexities of aging, coincidence, and self-discovery.With Ellen Burstyn and Taika Waititi leading the cast under the direction of Kornél Mundruczó, the film is poised to offer a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience. Stay tuned for further updates as production progresses, and consider how the film’s themes resonate with your own life experiences. how can you embrace the unexpected and find deeper meaning in your journey?

What resonated with you from Waititi’s description of “Place to Be”?

Taika Waititi on ‘Place to Be’: Aging, Family, and Unexpected Turns

Archyde News recently had the opportunity to speak with the multi-talented Taika Waititi about his upcoming role in Kornél Mundruczó’s drama, “Place to Be,” co-starring the legendary Ellen Burstyn. Our correspondent, film Critic Ava Sharma, delved into Waititi’s connection to the project and what audiences can expect from this intriguing film.

The Draw of ‘Place to Be’

Ava Sharma: Taika, thank you for taking the time to chat with Archyde News. “Place to Be” sounds like a interesting project. What initially drew you to the script and Kornél Mundruczó’s vision?

taika Waititi: Thanks for having me,Ava.What really grabbed me was the exploration of aging and visibility. How, sometimes, we feel like we fade into the background as we get older. But the script also highlights the power of connection, even in the most unexpected places.And, of course, the chance to work with both Kornél and, especially, Ellen Burstyn was irresistible. Kornél has such a unique visual style, and I deeply admired his previous works, like Pieces of a Woman.

Relating to the Role and Working with Ellen Burstyn

Ava Sharma: You’ve mentioned a personal connection to the role,relating it to your relationship with your mother. Could you elaborate on that and how it influenced your approach to the character?

Taika Waititi: Absolutely. Growing up, it was mostly just my mum and me, a real tight-knit duo. So, reading the script of “Place to Be,” the dynamic between my character and Ellen’s really resonated. It reminded me of us, but with, you know, decades more of life experience crammed in. It sort of felt like a fictional alternate reality of me and my mum. Ellen is such a natural, so much acting talent. I didn’t feel Like Acting against her at all!

The Theme of Visibility and Aging

Ava Sharma:The film explores the idea of becoming “invisible” with age. What is your take on this theme, and how do you hope the film will impact viewers’ perspectives?

Taika Waititi: I think it’s something manny people experience, this feeling of perhaps being overlooked or underestimated as they age. But hopefully, the film reminds us that our worth and value, and also our life experience doesn’t diminish with age. And that finding a connection to those that feel like us can make us more visible in our perspectives. This film encourages us to see the beauty and wisdom in every stage of life and to remain open to new connections, not matter how improbable or unexpected they seem. That’s the core of Mundruczó’s direction.

The Filming Experience in Australia

Ava Sharma: Ellen Burstyn mentioned being excited about filming in Australia. How was your experience filming ther, and did the location contribute to the film’s atmosphere?

Taika Waititi: Australia is amazing! The landscapes are just breathtaking, especially the outback. We filmed in New South Wales, and the vastness of the scenery really amplified the themes of isolation and self-revelation in the movie. In a way that only Australia’s unique nature-scape can elicit. Plus,the crew was fantastic. I think the beauty of the location definitely seeped into the film’s overall feel.

anticipation and Audience Expectations

Ava Sharma: what do you hope audiences will take away from “Place to Be,” and is there anything else you’d like to share about the film?

Taika Waititi: I hope it sparks conversations about aging, the importance of human connection, and the unexpected turns life can take. Maybe it will inspire people to reach out to someone they haven’t spoken to in a while, or to be more open to forming relationships with those they might not normally interact with. And really, just to appreciate that everyone, at every stage of life, has a story worth listening to. as for anything else… I think it would be fair to expect a few surprises. It’s certainly unlike anything I have done before.

A Question for Our Readers

Ava Sharma: Thank you, Taika, for sharing your insights. It sounds like “Place to Be” will be a truly special film. For our readers, what’s a time when an unexpected connection changed your outlook on life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!