As a seasoned gamer who’s seen more movies than I can count, I must say that the career of Alex Garland and his long-time collaborator Andrew Macdonald is nothing short of inspiring. Their journey, from the raw energy of “The Beach” to the cerebral tension of “Ex Machina,” has been a rollercoaster ride of creative brilliance and industry grit.
Filmmakers Alex Garland and his frequent partner Andrew Macdonald gathered in Edinburgh for a chat about their extensive professional bond, preferred works, and the forthcoming “28 Days” zombie series.
The pair, known for collaborations including “The Beach” (2000), “28 Days Later” (2002), “Ex Machina” (2014), and more recently, “Civil War” (2024), appeared at an Edinburgh International Film Festival gathering on Sunday. The audience of film industry experts were enthralled by their every word in a crowded venue.
Garland and Macdonald talked about their collaboration history, including disagreements they’ve had throughout the years. Garland, who initially started as a novelist with ‘The Beach’, later moved into screenwriting and eventually directing, confessed that he doesn’t particularly love directing; however, there is one movie – his first directorial project – that he considers the best among his notable works.
Garland admits, “I’ve never aspired to be a director,” but then elicits chuckles from the crowd when he adds, “The only way I could prevent directors from altering things was by becoming one myself.”
“I found the movie ‘Ex Machina’ extremely enjoyable… The production process was straightforward, which made things easier. The logistics were manageable, and this certainly contributed to the ease. We spent four weeks at Pinewood Studios in London on a soundstage, followed by two weeks filming on location in Norway. Our cast was quite compact.”
The movie Ex Machina features Domhnall Gleeson playing a young software engineer involved in an unusual test at the residence of a brilliant inventor, portrayed by Oscar Isaac. During this experiment, he develops a bond with a female artificial intelligence character (Alicia Vikander).
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share my experience: “The cast members were vibrant, diligent, and utterly dedicated. We were graced with a supportive team who shared our passion for the project, working tirelessly to make it a success. The atmosphere was harmonious, and we all collaborated effectively, creating an environment that was warm and inviting.”
Garland discussed some movies he and Macdonald had been involved in that were “toxic,” filled with constant bickering and disagreements, and why Ex Machina arrived at a crucial moment. “To put it simply for both of us,” he said, “we had just completed a string of toxic productions, and working on such unpleasant film sets is far from enjoyable. The constant arguing, the divisions, the departments clashing – they’re all horrible. But Ex Machina seemed like a refreshing change. It offered a complete contrast.”
The famous moment when Isaac and his robot start dancing, often shared as an animated image (GIF), was inspired by Isaac’s analysis of “Never Let Me Go,” according to Garland. He found out that a movie necessitates a change in mood or atmosphere, which he referred to as a “disruption of tone.”
Garland and Macdonald discussed their plans for a trilogy of films continuing the storyline from the post-apocalyptic series that began with “28 Days Later” and continued with “28 Weeks Later.” The first film in this new series, titled “28 Years Later,” is expected to release in 2025, and will have a budget of approximately $75 million. Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and Macdonald have worked together on this project. As stated by Macdonald, they are currently wrapping up the production of “28 Years Later” and plan to start filming the second installment tomorrow. They anticipate a third film will complete the trilogy.
As I, a passionate gaming enthusiast, eagerly anticipate the upcoming cinematic adventure, let me share some exciting news about this British sci-fi trilogy. Instead of traversing galaxies or battling monsters, we’ll be exploring our very own Northumberland and Yorkshire landscapes! The story will feature a stellar all-British cast, immersing us in the rich history and charm unique to these northern regions.
Individually, Garland and Macdonald discussed the challenges encountered during the production of the latest release titled “Civil War“, which is set in an apocalyptic version of America where a squad of war correspondents embedded with the military are on a mission to arrive at Washington D.C. before opposition groups manage to reach the White House.
“Macdonald stated that due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to travel to America. We needed to postpone our plans and secure special visas before we could go. Fortunately, we managed to make it right as the pandemic was winding down. Our journey was facilitated by A24, who were exceptional from a producer’s perspective, as they supported Alex’s vision with one of their largest budget allocations at that time.”
Regarding queries about the political leanings of the film and assertions that Civil War “remains neutral,” Garland expressed his views forcefully. “At around 55 years old, I identify as a centrist politically,” he stated. “I’m a centrist. To be more precise, I’d call myself a left-leaning centrist. Many people argue that centrism isn’t a political stance, but I disagree – it is indeed a political position. It’s a stand against extremism, particularly the extreme right, as that’s often the most significant threat to democracies, and they are vulnerable to such threats.”
He went on to say, “Should you view that risk as significant, then adopting a centrist stance might be an option for you. However, this doesn’t automatically make it the correct choice. For me, this is my preferred stance. The belief that centrism is non-political is simply foolish.”
Civil War, written and directed by Garland, has grossed over $122 million worldwide.
Edinburgh International Film Festival runs until Aug. 21.
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2024-08-18 19:55