Ruben Ostlund updates on “tough shoot” on ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’

Reuben Ostrand explains “tough filming” The entertainment system is down He edits a movie on a laptop on a Croatian island.

In addition to keycasts such as Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Nicholas Braun, Samantha Morton, Tobias Menzies, Daniel Bruhl, and Julie Delpy, the film includes 150 extras. All of these background artists had to stay in the same seat for continuity. Ostlund says that despite the lack of dialogue with the extras, some of them appear longer than the cast of some names.

“We go to the same set every day, so there are a lot of people in every shot, so it was a tough shoot,” Ostrand said.

The film takes place on long distance flights, on which the majority of passengers stop working.

Ostlund and producers Erik Hemmendorff and Philippe Bober purchased the retired Boeing 747 plane.

One solution to the challenge of shooting in limited spaces on planes was for Ostrand to use what is called “robots.” This is a pre-programmable mechanical arm steered through a PlayStation controller, which can reach too tight spaces for both the camera and the operator at the same time.

The director says he has adopted technology before, but he has significantly increased the use of the film. “They are starting to make them very small so they can use them in very small spaces,” said Ostrand, who worked closely with cinematographer Fredrik Wentzel in programming the kit. “This robot helped us a lot.”

He added, “It all worked very well, technically and productively.” The film was filmed on approximately 70 filming days from January to May.

“A unique place”

Ostlund is currently taking part in the Slano Film Days of the five-day Croatian Film Conference, editing while being held in the coastal town of Slano. He stays nearby on Lopud Island, where he edits the movie from his laptop in an open room above a sun-lit tower. “What helps me edit is knowing that my family enjoys themselves,” Ostrand laughed. “You can sit in a calm and work place.”

The filmmakers describe Slano Film Days, the Sarajevo Film Festival initiative. “A unique place that benefits emerging filmmakers from the region.”

“For the students, actors, directors and cinematographers here, it’s a great way to approach anyone and talk to anyone,” said Ostlund, who returned to Slano for the second edition, who also attended last year’s first event.

This year, Ostlund offered a masterclass, hosted another session with German actor Bruhl, and held individual meetings with 14 regional talent.

“It’s very friendly, there’s no hierarchy,” says Ostlund, who believes founder Mirsad Purivatra has achieved his competitive conversation goals. “It’s a unique place. A lot of festivals say they want to make this, but here they actually manage it.”

Airplane voyage

Two Palme d’Or winners in his last two films Square and Triangle of sadnessOstlund’s hope The entertainment system is down It was sixth of the seven features to be released at Croisette, reiterating his desire to spark “the biggest strike in the history of the Cannes Film Festival.”

Earlier this year, Swedish film director Ostrand was critical of the speech of the country’s Minister of Culture, Parisalil Göstrand at the opening night of the Goteborg Film Festival, where Ostrand is president. He also called the country’s cultural policy “embarrassingly uneducated.”

A report was published in March on how to revitalize the Swedish film industry, led by the head of the Cultural Department of Eva Belgist in the Great Stockholm metropolitan area, based on a study in which Ostrand was one of several experts.

“The common problem in Sweden and Europe is a state-funded system,” said Ostlund of Slano. “It’s great for freedom of expression, but as soon as we get money from the state, we’re bad in terms of being financially safe, so we don’t have to push it all the way out to reach our audience.

“In the US, if you don’t sell tickets, you’ll go bankrupt,” he said. “We have to give film owners an event that can be sold to their audience. We have to consider ourselves as we do today’s live act.”

Bober’s Coproduction Office handles global sales The entertainment system is downLast year, the A24 acquired US rights. Slano Film Days runs until Saturday, June 21st.