The Ivory Tower
The empress of Fantasia (its ruler who's infected with a mysterious illness which threatens the whole realm itself too) lives in the Ivory Tower.
The empress of Fantasia (its ruler who's infected with a mysterious illness which threatens the whole realm itself too) lives in the Ivory Tower.
It's a fabulous, bright, shiny contrast to the dark woods and nevertheless, it's absolutely imaginable as being a part of the same land. When the the creatures (originally sent by their own people to ask the empress for help) leave the forest together, heading to the tower, they sky changes its, truly fantastic, colors. Finally, the tower appears and it's surrounded by the probably most famous landscape image of the movie. A skyline, framed by mountains and in the middle, the mighty Ivory Tower.
When I see especially that one picture of the empress' residence, It strongly reminds me of my childhood days. Sitting in front of the TV and watching this movie for the first time, being totally fascinated and touched and at the same time, about 25 years later, knowing a lot about the technical and creative process of filmmaking, I can't ignore the kitsch and a bit too shiny and too fairy tale-like image of that scene.
When I see especially that one picture of the empress' residence, It strongly reminds me of my childhood days. Sitting in front of the TV and watching this movie for the first time, being totally fascinated and touched and at the same time, about 25 years later, knowing a lot about the technical and creative process of filmmaking, I can't ignore the kitsch and a bit too shiny and too fairy tale-like image of that scene.
But it's ok. I wanna write about my fascination and admiration for this movie's great work of Production Design. And also about the advantages of analog celluloid techniques, even if their results seem a bit old fashioned in these days.
The gathering of the ambassadors
Because of the dark menace which destroys Fantasia, several different races and creatures of the realm have sent their ambassadors to the Ivory Tower, hoping that the empress could answer their questions.
This scene always made a big impression in me, because its subtle and melancholic tone, and the theatrical character of scenery.
Again, the materials, textiles and textures have a strongly authentic touch. Everything seems very real and alive (although the pace of the scene is very slow, almost static). You can have a close look at the tower's design and surface now - its patterns and frescos, the stairs in front of the entrance to the empress' quarters. Surrounded by a dream-like skyline, like a sunset, seen from an airplane that glides over a sea of clouds, forming a calm, soft background which fits to the scene very well.
The other element of this theatrical mood consists of its protagonists.
The empress' priest-like spokesman welcomes the numerous delegations of species, mostly appearing in pairs or groups and tells them about her illness. Later on, he calls for Atreyu, the one who should save Fantasia and find a cure for the empress. The costumes and masks of the ambassadors also look static, but very artistic and again, theatrical to me. Some of them more visible than others, some of them shine, others keep standing in the background. Their whispering (for example when the child-like Atreyu arrives) is audible, but their optical presence is more haunting.
Most of the scenes from that film seem like archetypical moods and elements of dreams to me. This theatrical one is essential.
The next time, we'll go on to places where no man has gone before. Again.
To be continued ... ;-)
