Anna Karenina
Short description
Anna Karenina is set in late nineteenth-century Russia, where a married woman of high social standing travels to Moscow to help her brother salvage his marriage. There she encounters a young cavalry officer, and the mutual attraction that develops between them pushes her to pursue a relationship that the society around her will not tolerate. Her husband, a senior government official, and her young son are drawn into the consequences as she weighs her obligations against her desires. The film interweaves her story with that of a landowner courting her sister-in-law.
Joe Wright directed the adaptation, working from a screenplay by Tom Stoppard based on Leo Tolstoy's novel. It was Wright's fifth feature, arriving after Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist and Hanna. Keira Knightley plays Anna, with Jude Law as Karenin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Vronsky, Matthew Macfadyen as Oblonsky and Kelly Macdonald as Dolly; 126 cast members and 86 crew are credited.
Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Paul Webster for Working Title Films alongside Universal Pictures and Focus Features, the film cost about 41 million dollars and took roughly 69 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.6 out of 10 from 112,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.7 out of 10 from 2,451 votes. A critics' rating of 6.5 out of 10 from 192 reviews places it close to the audience scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- Saoirse Ronan declined the role of Kitty due to the film's lengthy shooting schedule (from autumn 2011 to the end of spring 2012), as she was scheduled to star in two other projects ('Byzantium' and 'The Host') during that period, playing the lead in each. Alicia Vikander ultimately landed the role of Kitty.
- James McAvoy was considered for the role of Levin.
- Saoirse Ronan turned down the role of Kitty due to a scheduling conflict.
- Robert Pattinson was offered the role of Vronsky.
- There was a moment when Joe Wright considered having the actors speak with Russian accents, but he changed his mind, believing it would be difficult for him to assess their acting.
- The film is based on Leo Tolstoy's novel "Anna Karenina" (1878).
- Cinematographer Philippe Roussel was forced to leave the project during the pre-production stage due to illness.
- Part of the filming took place in Karelia on Kizhi Island.
- Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrea Riseborough were also considered for the lead roles in the film.
- Part of the filming took place in Russia, specifically in Karelia on Kizhi Island.
- Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot was forced to leave the project at the pre-production stage to undergo back surgery. Excruciating pain from sciatica left him with no choice. He was replaced by Seamus McGarvey, who had often worked with director Joe Wright.
- Inspired by the work of British historian Orlando Figes, Natasha's Dance (2002), Joe Wright decided on an experimental approach to convey the essence of the story. A large part of the film was shot in a closed theater built from scratch in Shepperton, UK. Scenes at the skating rink, railway station, and stables were filmed in the upper part of the theater. Toy trains and dollhouses were used for panoramic shots. The only member of the main cast allowed to leave the theater was Domhnall Gleeson (Levin). Through this, Wright wanted to emphasize that only Levin's character reflects the real world.
- Saoirse Ronan, James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch and Cate Blanchett had previously worked with director Joe Wright on various films.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
