Blade of a Knife: Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus Blog: Exclusive Concept Art and News From His New War Film, Shooting in Belgrade

Share on Facebook posted 03-17-10 by Andreas Wiseman

Welcome to the new blog, dedicated to Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut, Coriolanus. I’m a fan and a friend of Ralph’s and am hugely excited for his film, which is a contemporary version of Shakespeare’s play.

Videos, pictures, interviews, background info, and regular updates will be coming your way from Serbia, where Ralph is starring in and directing the modern-day version of what I think is one of Shakespeare’s most dynamic stories. Shooting starts today, March 17.

Coriolanus is a visceral political thriller featuring devastating rivalries, warring tribes, unbending codes of honor, powerful family bonds, and the toughest warriors imaginable. It is also a parable for our times, reflecting our most urgent political issues, from hubristic generals, manipulative spin-doctors, and guerrilla insurgents to devastating food riots and popular discontent. Coriolanus is a film for today, about today.

I’ll be talking more about the cast and crew in future posts, but Ralph has assembled a stellar team, including Law Abiding Citizen star Gerard Butler, six-time Oscar nominee Vanessa Redgrave, Gladiator and The Aviator screenwriter John Logan, and Hurt Locker Director of Photography Barry Ackroyd.

“High Impact, High Octane”

I spoke to Ralph on the phone yesterday about his motivation for embarking on this production in the first place:

“I had a feeling the play would work well on film on account of its sheer drama and high impact,” he told me. “It’s a thrilling, exhausting story. There’s a dramatic momentum that makes it a high-octane political drama. At a storytelling, ‘what happened next’ level, it’s a phenomenal piece.

“When I performed it theatrically, I knew there were nuances and visual aspects that could emerge more strongly on film. I want to bring out the biting political nature of the piece, and the story’s great panoramic potential. The People, for example, play such a leading role in Coriolanus. It’s hard to capture that sense of a clamoring multitude in the theater.”

“It’s Not Easy, But It’s About Honor”

“It never left me that I wanted to see this play on film,” Ralph went on. “Shakespeare confronts his audiences with the biggest questions about how society functions, how politics functions — the people’s right to eat, to riot, to demand. And also their fickleness: how they blow hot and cold, how they can about-turn so quickly.

“Coriolanus isn’t easy or comfortable, but one of its main themes is honor. We admire people who stick to principles of honor, soldiers in particular. Yet they provoke ambivalent responses. We’re proud of them when they come home with medals and we weep when they fall in battle, but when recently in England a general made a political statement the press was up in arms! Coriolanus, to some extent, asks what the role of a soldier is, not just in battle, but also in life. Shakespeare challenges the audience to resist his complex central figure, but against our reason, we often find ourselves siding with him.”

“Swords and Sandals” or AK’s and Jackboots?

“Coriolanus is a strong, complicated, gritty piece,” Ralph explained. “I thought about whether it should be Roman with swords and sandals, or even 19th century. But ultimately, I believed it had to be set in today’s world. It should have a high momentum and earn its ability to suddenly be still for one or two key moments when the human element has to have space to breathe.”

I’ll be hearing more about the film from Ralph very soon, but I want to share one more nugget with you. In a sneak preview of Coriolanus’ uncompromising landscape, here are two images from the film’s stunning concept art by the artist Temple Clark:

As I mentioned earlier, production starts today (March 17th) in Belgrade, so keep checking in. I’ll be telling you more about Ralph’s training with the Serbian Anti-Terror Unit, give you a tour of the locations, more on the central characters, and a look at some of the films and artists that have inspired the director’s vision.

See ya soon, Ninjas.

33 responses to Blade of a Knife: Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus Blog: Exclusive Concept Art and News From His New War Film, Shooting in Belgrade

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Laura Kemic

This blog is so awesome! I am a huge fan of Mr. Fiennes and this was a truly exciting find for me. Please keep me updated on the latest news about him. Any info about a future release of Cemetary Junction in the United States? Please send him my support on his latest project. He has truly come full circle. Laura

Gerard Butler Dot Net

Can’t wait Andreas!! Looking forward to following the production of the film!

http://www.gerardbutler.net

Cheers!!

Raad Alkadiri

What a fun venture. Can’t wait to see the finished product…or read about the training with the Serbian anti-terror unit. That sounds truly daunting.

Liza

Thank you Mr. Wiseman. It’s great to have these updates and details. I’m very excited about this film and for Mr. Fiennes’ first turn as a director. Given the attention and excellence he gives to all his work, I know this is going to be really wonderful. I eagerly await the updates to come. : )

dawne larkin

oh my goodness! thank you ‘canadia’ for finding this fantastic site and thank you andreas for sharing it!
thoroughly excited about mr. fiennes film directing debut (as well as costar gerard butler). the entire cast sounds perfect. can’t wait! – dawne27

trugannini

Thank you, Thank you. I too am a Huge fan of Ralph Fiennes. I own every movie he has ever made.
To me, he is the finest actor I have ever seen, and I’m a theatre and movie goer of 60 years. His committment to his craft knows no bounds. I belong to a site Ralph Fiennes Corner II, and on that site
we have been following the lead-up to this movie for over a year. We don’t ever bother with tabloid stuff on our site, we are all about Ralph Fiennes’ Art and the work he does. We will all be following this
site closely also, and I wish to thank you for the opportunity to learn more about what Ralph is doing
in Belgrade. Liza calls you Mr. Wiseman. Well Mr. Wiseman, please keep up the great work. All
the Best to Ralph and his fellow thespians, producers, and all those on set.

Tony Patrick

Excellent news about such an exciting new production of ‘Corialanus’ and I look forward to seeing the Blog in the coming weeks.

J.Walker

What a seriously well written piece on a what promises to be a great production. Will definatley be checking back to see more on this and hopow the writer manages to get further interviews with Mr.Fiennes and the rest of the crew.

NATO

Thanks Ninjas Ralph & Gerard Good luck!!!!

Mara Regina

I am so excited about this project, since I saw this play in London, at Almeida Theatre in 2000 and haven´t had forget about it! I also have touch a post graduation course where we study Richard II and Coriolanus together theory of law, this was entirely inspired by the 2000 experience! I love Shakespeare and also the work of Ralph Fiennes, he is just so competent, so dedicated and so kind as a person! I wish the best luck for all in this! I am looking forward to hear more about the shooting! Cheers from São Paulo – Brazil!

Cayne

I am looking forward to following this production and seeing Coriolanus upon its completion. Best of luck to Mr. Butler and everyone involved with this project.

Zsuzsanna

This news made me feel happy for several reasons. First of all – as a fan of Mr Fiennes’ extraordinary and brilliant, highly intelligent very emotional always catharctic performances – that he can realize now his dreams of directing on screen. What he speaks of his plans is very hopeful, the milieu in which he puts the story is very interesting with the grey sad colours. And who knows better the soul of Coriolanus and the whole story as the actor who played it and is inside in it? Up to now we heared only of the material problems of the production, finally that was solved. So now I keep my fingers crossed.
I’m sure we’ll see an interesting film with deep thoughts. So be it! Good luck!

TheBlondeKB

Thank you for sharing your unique insight into the making of and motivation behind this movie. The extraordinary talent assembled is simply amazing. Imagining the dynamic of Fiennes and Butler on screen has me on the edge of my seat and reason.

Stefan Clarke

Fantastic blog! A real rarity to get a great inside take on such an eagerly awaited production. I am a big fan of Ralphs and have a huge interest in the process of movie making in general. Will be monitoring your blog closely in the coming weeks and months. Keep up the good work!

Carlo Nassetti

This blog about Coriolanus is excellent news! It is always interesting to have an inside into movie production. I am a great fan of Mr Fiennes and I can’t wait to appreciate his directorial debut. Great job!

Celeste

“Coriolanus”……what more can you say but great writing for a movie-version and throw in a stellar-cast……Ralph Fiennes Gerard Butler Vanessa Redgrave !!!!!! Can’t wait for this one!

ROYAL REED

So excited to see this film! Continued success on this project!

Pitou

Thank you so much for the news! I adore Ralph, I’ve seen all his movies, so I’m looking forward to seeing this one. Thanks!

Gerard Butler GALS

If the film is written as tightly as this blog, we’re in for one wild ride! Thanks for the updates! We’re checking in often. If there’s anything we can ever do to assist, please do not hesitate to call on us!

Holly Ghere
Moderator
http://www.gerardbutlerGALS.com

Jen Tindell

I saw him do this at bam with jonathon Kent a few years ago. Shakespeare has always been wack on film but if anyone can do it…

zsuzsanna

I read the wonderful analysis of Shakespeare’s and today’s Coriolanus, the similarity of situations and I agree with every word. World didn’t change too much from the beginninig until present time. Moral conflicts emotions our connections with eachother our philosophy with which we can explain our bloodthirst and permanent wars are the same from the caveman up to the 21st century.
I wish good luck and big success to the participants and I’m eager to hear the news.

Loving Temple Clark’s work- if the film stays true to the concept art it’ll look stunning. Great blog, keep up the good work!

WHY?!!! WHY, Mr. Fiennes? WHY wouldn’t you set it in ancient Rome, which is when the play takes place? It’s just a trashy idea when you update The Bard’s works. It’s equivalent to urinating on his grave. If you’re gonna do a play by William Shakespeare, set it in the original time and place that the play takes place in (ie. “Romeo And Juliet” in 15th century Verona, “Titus Andronicus”-ancient Rome, “Julius Caesar”-Rome, 44 B.C., etc). That is the only way to film a play by William Shakespeare. So far, the only modern film of Shakespeare that I’ve enjoyed (and have not been forced to see) is Kenneth Branagh’s enjoyable musical version of “Love’s Labour’s Lost.”

Kevin Klawitter

@D:

No.

John

Thank you, Thank you. I too am a Huge fan of Ralph Fiennes. I own every movie he has ever made.To me, he is the finest actor I have ever seen, and I’m a theatre and movie goer of 60 years. His committment to his craft knows no bounds. I belong to a site Ralph Fiennes Corner II, and on that sitewe have been following the lead-up to this movie for over a year. We don’t ever bother with tabloid stuff on our site, we are all about Ralph Fiennes’ Art and the work he does. We will all be following thissite closely also, and I wish to thank you for the opportunity to learn more about what Ralph is doingin Belgrade. Liza calls you Mr. Wiseman. Well Mr. Wiseman, please keep up the great work. Allthe Best to Ralph and his fellow thespians, producers, and all those on set.
+1

Lalole

Merci pour ce blog qui nous emmène dans la grande aventure que mène M. Ralph Fiennes. Shakespeare ne pouvait rêver d’un meilleur réalisateur pour porter à l’écran sa tragédie. J’attends avec impatience la transposition de cette pièce que je crois effectivement intemporelle.
Good luck à toute l’équipe, et spécialement à M. Ralph Fiennes

Gerard Butler Fan Club

Thank you for keeping the fans up to date regarding the films production.

Gerard Butler Fan Club
http://www.gerardjamesbutler.co.uk

Julina Tatlock

Just spoke to the producer of Coriolanus who said that Gerry was a dream to work with and that he worked incredibly hard on his role. She’s clearly a fan!

jane lolachi

Thank you so much for sharing this nformation. I also am a theater goer of more than 60 years, and have only recently become aware of Mr. Fiennes body of work, most of which I have collected. It is, however difficult to come bymore than cursory information on these matters where I live in the mid-west. I realize that everything is available on the internet, but it takes time to build up resource. So, once again, thank you for your insightful article. I look forward to many more. Have an interesting day!