The behind-the-scenes production of Vanity Fair

The conclusion of Vanity Fair inspired director mira nair. She said: "I want to make this movie because Thackeray and I have the same problem: we both have dreams." Will we be happy when our dreams come true? " What is satisfaction? What is desire? What is fame and fortune in life? Thackeray's novels are excellent materials for movies, which accurately describe what happened in England at that time and expound an eternal theme. Particularly plump novel characters will make modern people sound. I think Becky is the greatest female character in literary works. "

Nair has his own unique views on this classic novel. Coincidentally, Thackeray spent his childhood in Kolkata, India, and Nair grew up in India. Her personal experience can supplement and recreate Thackeray's novels.

Producer Janette Day wants to make this novel into a movie. She said: "Becky is more like a modern strong woman, but she was born in the wrong era." In the materialistic crazy world, she is full of energy and different. "

For screenwriters and co-producers Matthew Faulk and Mark skeat, being able to play the leading role in the adaptation is a lucky gift. Because Thackeray provides a lot of rich characters in his novels, it is the dream of all screenwriters to adapt Vanity Fair. In addition, in order to further enrich the script, Julian Fellowes, who won the Oscar for Best Screenplay for Gosford Manor, also joined the adaptation lineup.

When Granada Film Company took office, producer Janet Day began to plan filming, and later she became independent filmmakers. Donna Gigliotti, her former partner, has just set up her own production company Tempesta Films, and they decided to co-produce Vanity Fair.

In the spring of 2002, Focus Film Company decided to join in filming and provide production funds for the film. This is the second collaboration between director mira nair and the company. 200 1 Monsoon Wedding Banquet, which was a great success in the world film industry, was released by Focus Film Company.

With the film shooting plan gradually taking shape, the casting work began immediately. The most important thing in the film is the person who plays Becky, and reese witherspoon was invited to sign up for the role. Witherspoon said, "I was very excited to get a call from Milla. We met two years ago, because I am a big fan of her and hope to cooperate with her. Between words, I found that our sensitivity to female themes is similar, and her ability to grasp such themes is amazing. "

Witherspoon thinks that Becky she plays is a feminist and a very modern role. Although she lost her parents and was homeless, she still longed for success, and every success she achieved depended on her own ability.

Screenwriter Feros said: "Reese can express many emotions at the same time, which is what makes her unique. Becky is interesting, witty and complicated, and at the same time ambitious, pragmatic and smart. " Director Neil said: "Reese is very suitable for Becky, and she really wants to play this role." She is really witty, cunning, charming and illusory. The role of Becky is very complicated, but I don't want Becky to be hated, because after all, she is full of calculations and will not be liked. Reese's acting just captured the audience's subtle emotions and made the audience rise and fall with the ups and downs of the role. Besides, Reese in the film is full of femininity, which is unprecedented in her previous films. "

As a director who combines tradition and modernity, mira nair also showed her unique colorful image style in Vanity Fair. Nair has worked with photography director Declan Quinn and editor Allyson C. Johnson for many times, and the tacit cooperation makes her style unique.

Producer Lydia Dean Pilcher said: "In Britain, we have incredible scenes to use. Milla is an expert in photography and painting and has a clear aesthetic point of view. And Declan, deep down, So the pictures created by two people together are sincere. "

Quinn said, "I listened to Milla's views on the story and what she wanted to do with the film. This is a very English story, which is told from the perspective of a bystander. I am an Irish-American, and of course I am a bystander. Like everyone else, I have different views on stories and characters, so Milla consulted everyone. When we work together, most of the time, Milla will build a central picture in his mind that can present real effects. This is the starting point. If I can understand her meaning, I can perfect the scene according to her personal style. I hope to create an eye-catching visual feast through the light, color and texture of the picture without taking the lead. "

Nair added: "I don't want to make this film into a solemn costume film." Our image is smooth and active, because we use the Super 35 camera to make the picture more elegant. "

Jonathan rhys meyers, who plays George in the film, said: "This film, like Ang Lee's Ice Storm, looks at the world in the film from an outsider's perspective, but Milla is extremely optimistic and knows how to tell stories. You can find this in her early works. She knows all kinds of people and even appreciates their shortcomings. "

Maria Djurkovic, the production designer, fully considered the colonial influence of1in the early 9th century. At that time, while increasing its colonies, Britain skillfully accepted the influence from Indian, North African and China colonies. It is very important to effectively reproduce the characteristics of this era.

In order to be loyal to historical facts, Djokovic chose a lot of vibrant colors. Because of the influence of the East at that time, the choice of fabric, paper and location in the film was also meticulous. As a result, China's gongs, Moroccan lanterns and Indian fabrics appear in the film.

Apart from several scenes shot in India, Vanity Fair was shot in England 1 1 week, which was at the turn of spring and summer in 2003.

Shortly after the filming, the Crawleys' house was filmed in Steinway Building near Cheltenham. Mira nair recalled, "This was the first place Declan Quinn and I saw, and we hit it off soon. We modified the original design to suit the local characteristics. The art there is pure, the China bed is very strange, and it is in tune with the movie. "

The main exterior of London in the film was shot in Bath, because there are the best preserved Regency buildings in Britain, so the Geben Museum, beaufort Square and Grand Putney Street in Bath all appear in the film.

Maria Djokovic, the production designer, recalled: "Our shooting scene in Bath was very grand. We shot a 360-degree view from the Grand Putney Street. Shooting like this is a challenge in any modern city. We have to close all the streets, cover the road with sand, remove all kinds of signs and painted doors and windows, arrange carriages and so on. "

The crew installed 65438+ lamps1street lamps at the beginning of the 9th century in Grand Putney Street, and the local council was glad that the producers kept these street lamps after the film was finished. During the filming in Bath, the crew hired 350 local people as extras, and with other expenses, the filming of Vanity Fair undoubtedly promoted the economic development of Bath.