EXCLUSIVE: Oscar Isaac, Evangeline Lilly, Elliott Gould and Billy Zane will voice the animated film directed by Gidi Dar Legend of Destruction.
The UshpizinNine years in the making, the filmmaker’s latest project features a unique visual style with 1,500 original still images by the artists behind it, David Polonsky and Michael Faust Waltz with Bashir (Oscar Nominee and Golden Globe Winner, 2008) and The congresses. The paintings are edited together to create an innovative cinematic language to create a full experience of an epic action war film.
The picture is set in AD 66, Judea, under Roman rule; a virtual powder keg waiting to explode. Society is polarized and social injustice and corruption are widespread. When the Jews revolt against the Roman Empire, the situation quickly degenerates into a brutal civil war and the Roman beast of war is unleashed to quell the revolt. The film ends in AD 70 with the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and the beginning of the 2,000 year exile of the Jewish people – a defining moment in both Judaism and Christianity.
“This story is the core of Jewish existence, it is one of the darkest moments of my people, but few know it. I felt compelled to tell this,” says Dar.
Legend of Destruction is told from the perspective of Ben Batich (Isaac), a kind-hearted, naive young man who becomes a die-hard zealot, a supporter of the charismatic, Robin Hood-like rebel leader Bar Giora (Zane).
“It’s a story with a lot of historical significance, but it’s also very intimate, it’s about a personal relationship between the main character and God,” says Isaac.
Lilly votes for Queen Berenice, the scheming last Jewish queen who tried at all costs to save the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
“This movie is amazing, it’s tragic, it’s really brutal and sad, but it’s true,” says the actress.
Elliott Gould, who plays Rabbi Ben Zakkai, one of the greatest sages in Jewish history, was “deeply honored to have the opportunity to portray this great teacher and moderate man who saved the Jewish faith.”
The photo was taken by Amir Harel of Lama Films (Tel Aviv is burning), LOD Productions, Yaki Dunietz and Gidi Dar. Isaac, through his production company Mad Gene Media, and Lilly are executive producers. WME and UTA jointly represent the distribution of the film.
“I couldn’t imagine that it would only be told with still images,” recalls Oscar Isaac. “I started watching it and suddenly, within minutes, I was completely swept up and carried away by an epic story… I felt like I was watching gladiator.”
“Legend of Destruction Is Vincent Equal to Passion of Christ. It is a compelling historical story told through vivid and beautiful still lifes. It’s immersive,” adds Lilly.
“Motion in films is an illusion,” says Dar, “there are 24 still images per second Legend of DestructionWe tried to push the boundaries of this illusion a few steps forward.”
Isaac fears the film is “frighteningly relevant.”
Zane notes that “this film is about a polarized society where everyone has a point of view and all the characters dance to hell together when they don’t find common ground.”
“We’re all afraid of how divided we are,” Lilly agrees, “we’re all afraid of how little we seem to agree on, and yet we don’t see people coming down the hall and compromising.”
Legend of Destruction was nominated for 7 Israeli Academy Awards and won 4.
Source: Deadline
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