My friend Alley Rutzel was so mesmerized by Tarsem Singh's "The Fall" (premiered at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, but released in the US only this summer), that she put together this index of breathtaking images and locations from the film. She writes: "Watching this movie was incredibly inspiring (I kept saying "I want to go there, and I want to go there...") so I made a game of trying to figure out all the filming locations." She still doesn't have 'em all, so please take a look and let her know if you can identify them...
Thanks so much for the link. The Fall has been my favorite movie so far this year, and I too found myself wanting to visit all its locations. Tarsem was clearly a fan of Ebert's recent Great Movies entry Baraka, which employs similar locations and also had the "taka-taka" guys, and I wish someone would track down its locations.
Ebert actually interviewed Tarsem after "The Fall" premiered here in the US this summer. In the interview, he spoke specifically about a few of the locations. It's a wonderful film. And the thing that I find astonishing is that all of the locations are actual locations. There are no F/X. Absolutely amazing.
Am gearing up to FINALLY watch this remarkable-looking film later this evening. Can't wait!
Got this on my Netflix queue. In fact, it's probably sitting in my mailbox. Very cool. Been waiting for another Tarsem release for some time. Many felt The Cell was just a Se7en knockoff. Not at all. Se7en's visual thrust was dark-bleak but The Cell was dark-sumptuous. And Tarsem's use of music and sound in this film is incredible to me.
Saw this recently and was blown away by it. It's not just eye-candy, either, I thought the rapport between Pace and the girl, and the girl's performance, were top-notch- in fact I found those made the film. Slow middle section, terrible pacing, and narrative sloppiness/vagueness- Tarsem's still not a storyteller and probably never will be- but a wonderful film in its way.
Hi Jim. Like Paul, I also saw "The Fall" recently and was blown away by the locations. I saw this out of Mr. Ebert's high appraisal for the film, and also for the presence of Justine Waddell (who is one of my favorite English actresses) and Lee Pace (who impressed me in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day"). To be frank, I had a hard time following what the child Alexandria was saying. Not that I blame her, since she was, as I remember it, playing the character of a Romanian child. However, aside from this little dousing factor, I found the film quite humurous especially the part where Alexandria hands Roy the three tablets of morphine. There are elements of "Baron Munchausen" in this one sans the Roman gods.
I visited the link that you have provided and am impressed by the range of oriental and occidental locations used in this film.
This "movie" was awful. It's not even really a movie, just a reaaaaaally long Coca Cola (or whatever brand you prefer) commercial or something. The ultimate example of what happens when you give an advertisement director free reign to direct his own entire movie. One of the most dreadful cinematic experiences I have ever had to endure. It was just appalling.
The NY Times was right on the money with its review: http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/movies/09fall.html
Loved this movie. I am from India and I identified some locations in the movie. They looked so much better in the movie.
I only recently viewed The Fall - luckily on a big screen - and it is now one of my favorite movies. I'd read Ebert's entry on it last year and sought it eagerly in the States, but couldn't find it in any theatre near enough to me. A remarkable, moving film. Thank you for the list of locations -- I have a friend from India who has been to many of them; she was excited to see them in the movie, but couldn't remember where some of the more obscure ones were. This list should help her remember.
Jim - Is this the same Alley Rutzel, who is also a friend of mine? From Seattle?
She is, isn't she? Six degrees, and all that...
Tell her I say hi. And maybe she can regale you with stories about my coconut bikini...
Still on a high...
Hence, the ellipses...
I loved The Fall and saw it twice on the big screen. I signed up to get in on Amazon as soon as it was available.
It is a movie you will love or hate. I was totally mesmerized. It breaks my heart it didn't go better.
I'd go see it again in a minute if it were on the big screen near me.
If you have a chance to see it on the big screen, drive where ever you can to see it. Be prepared to sit through it twice if you can.
For me it was captivating.
Hi Jim,
You know this, but I thought I'd post here: Both "Baraka" (in 70mm) and "The Fall" will be screened at Ebertfest in April.
R