When Sam Mendes came to the forefront of Hollywood with his astonishing 1999 debut feature “American Beauty,” he was primarily known as a director of theater in London. Suffice to say, his debut film changed his life, winning the Best Picture Oscar, among many other statuettes. However, the next two decades would be a mixed bag for Mendes, but he did manage to churn out a classic gangster film (“Road to Perdition”) and an all-time great Bond (“Skyfall”).
In a Hollywood that has all but shunned artistic freedom for filmmakers this past decade, it must be hard for Mendes to keep his artistic integrity intact, what with the limited opportunities available for directors that have something original to say. Alas, that’s why his upcoming WWI film “1917” should be a cause for celebration. The film will star Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch and will have the luxury of being shot by DP extraordinaire Roger Deakins. However, even more striking, is that fact that [via IndieWire] as confirmed at CinemaCon yesterday, Mendes is attempting to film “1917” as one long shot, a la Alejandro Iñárritu’s “Birdman.” No other details we’re revealed.
The Playlist has this about the plot:
“What we do know about “1917” is that Mendes’ film is expected to follow two young British soldiers on the front line (played by actors George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman), in a sort of “day in the life”-esque film. Now, combine that description with the news about it being one shot, and your imagination can fill in the blanks.”
“1917” doesn’t have an official release date yet,. but production is said to have begun this week.