MGM has produced a new video that takes us behind the scenes with the actors and the acclaimed director George Miller of the upcoming high-fantasy film Three Thousand Years of Longing, which stars Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba. The video, which runs for around two and a half minutes, is a visual synopsis of the film’s premise, which centres on Alithea Binnie (Swinton), a story and mythology researcher who is both lonely and proud. When she visits Istanbul for work, she comes upon a vial that immediately captures her attention. But she soon discovers that within it dwells a Djinn (Elba) who, in exchange for his release, would grant her three wishes.
In the special feature, Miller provides further context for the film’s themes, explaining that “this is the narrative about the mysteries and ambiguities of life.” According to Miller, “there’s no story about wishing that’s not a cautionary tale,” and Alithea, being a scholar, would know better. The clip’s behind-the-scenes material reveals the fantastic mashup of historical accuracy, sentimentality, and meticulous study that went into the development of the film. The film’s title alludes to Djinn’s desire for freedom, but Swinton maintains that the “journey of the picture is about human progress,” which may be summed up in the query, “What are your three wishes?”
The movie’s surreal visual impact and superb CGI will take viewers on a fantasy adventure, leaving them to contemplate their own ambitions towards the end. Miller makes it plain that he aimed to “enchant the audience then change them into his universe and characters.” The film, which is based on A.S. Byatt’s short story “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye,” premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Now that we have a trailer, I think we can safely assume that Miller’s trademark gripping epic will be what we get. Miller directed and co-wrote the script for Three Thousand Years of Longing with Augusta Gore. Miller and Doug Mitchell produce, with Dean Hood, Craig McMahon, and Kevin Sun serving as exec producers. The release date of the film is August 26.
Synopsis
Dr Alithea Binnie meets a djinn at a conference in Istanbul; in exchange for his release, he grants her three wishes. First, she doesn’t believe he exists, and second, as a student of mythology and folklore, she is well-versed in the cautionary stories of wishes gone bad. The djinn makes up imaginative tales about his life to convince her of his innocence. A beguiled lady eventually makes a wish that takes them both by surprise.