Robert Eggers On The Northman Directing Is An Insane Job

Eggers has been included on this list because of the uniqueness of his films. His films tend to be linear and suspenseful, with a strong focus on language and narrative. If you’ve never seen one of his flicks, you’re missing out on something special. However, despite the fact that they may not be to everyone’s taste, they do offer a fresh perspective in a franchise-dominated world.

With his 2014 picture “The Witch,” Robert Eggers established himself as a renowned visionary filmmaker. His next project is a magnificent fantasy picture with a Viking theme that will be shot in black-and-white. While attending a luncheon with Alexander Skarsgard, the director realised he wanted to make the film.

On “The Northman,” His Contributions

Director Dave Eggers took a sabbatical from filmmaking after years of producing and composing short films and documentaries to direct the much-anticipated new picture The Northman. A.V. Club spoke with him about his new project and what it means to live in a “fucked up patriarchal culture” in an interview. That Bjork was cast as the Seeress is quite an accomplishment given that she had last been on the big screen more than a decade ago.

In an uncommon move, the picture was made for a budget of $70-90 million by Focus Features. Before the COVID shutdowns, production began in March 2020 and resumed in December. Nicole Kidman, Alexander Skarsgard, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Anya Taylor-Joy star in the film. “The Northman” is a masterpiece by Eggers.

Willem Dafoe’s portrayal as a Viking shaman is another highlight. Amleth’s ceremony is led by a shaman played by him in the film. If you ask Eggers about the Vikings, you’ll get a long, detailed answer about the Vikings’ habit of decorating their teeth. Fans of the cinema will appreciate the film’s meticulous production values and its value to them as a consumer.

Capturing Long Battle Sequences: His Method

In “The Northman,” the director receives his first major studio backing for his directorial debut. He’s a fastidious director who expects the same level of effort and commitment from his cast and crew that he puts forth. Even yet, he didn’t let that get in the way of his success. In the end, the outcome is a gripping, powerful film. The film’s cinematic weight will please Eggers fans.

In the opening scene of “The Northman,” Amleth and his traitors chase Amleth through his hamlet in a single-take action scenario. Wolf-pelt-clad character is introduced years later, yet bloodshed ensues. When filming a battle of this magnitude, you’re going to need a big set, a lot of extras, and loads of gear. His goal was to get the image he was going for by studying a range of notable long takes.

Director Eggers and cinematographer Jarin Blaschke worked together for months on the project. They used 35mm film for the action sequence. A scene isn’t considered “wrapped” until Eggers says it is. He typically shoots 15 takes per scene, but if that isn’t enough, he’ll shoot twice as many.

Big outdoor fight sequences in “The Northman” are a great illustration of the director’s ability to capture epic outdoor battle scenes. The plot is based on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” and it’s an action-packed fantasy flick. Alexander Skarsgard stars as the long-haired brute Amleth, who is rumoured to be the inspiration for Hamlet in the film’s supporting cast.

His Friendship With Stellan Skarsgaard.

A lot of people have speculated about what transpired during the making of “The Witch” because of the director’s friendship with Skarsgard. Eggers and Skarsgard were thought to be dating in the past. As an Icelandic native, he had a similar relationship with the star. Skarsgard was reluctant to work with him on a film with the same name because of his previous connection. It wasn’t until after the film was finished that Eggers and Skarsgard became romantically linked.

On “The Northman,” Sjon was an actor who served as a producer. Bjork introduced Eggers to Sjon in 2008. They became fast friends and collaborated on the project as a team. Skarsgard went on to produce “The Northman” after that. Skarsgard and Eggers assembled a team of experts to conduct research for the film on the Vikings. A role that will last a lifetime was played by the actors.

Skarsgard, on the other hand, gave credit for the concept of a Viking movie to Eggers. Eggers’ unique view on the Vikings has been complimented by him. Working with Eggers and its director required him to adapt to the demands of the role as the protagonist. Big Little Lies and The Northman director has written two more projects.

Her name is Stella Skarsgard, and she is the mother of actor Skarsgard. However, when he was a teenager, he resumed his acting career. His performance in the HBO programme True Blood made him a household name. People have speculated about Skarsgard’s personal life, but the relationship with Eggers has remained quiet.

His Conceptualization of the Movie

As Eggers’ most ambitious effort to date, “The Northman” is set for release in April and is expected to receive a largely good critical response. Fans may now watch Eggers’ vision at home thanks to Peacock, where the film was released earlier this year. Prepare yourself for a treat if you’ve never watched “Northman.” When a disturbed youngster vanishes in Iceland, “The Northman” is an intriguing and thought-provoking thriller.

This is a well-paced film that manages to be both artful and epic at the same time. As a result, you’ll find yourself humming along from beginning to end. Despite this, the story is dark and disturbing, and it might work better as a series on television because of the medium’s long-form storytelling capabilities. In the meantime, check out the trailer and prepare to be gripped by its intensity.

Conclusion

Additionally, director Dave Eggers has extensive understanding of Scandinavian culture and history, which he gained from reading Icelandic sagas. To study about Viking life, he was also inspired by the work of experimental archaeologists who reportedly lived as Vikings for a period of two weeks. This collaboration between two experts in the Viking age, Eggers and Henrik Ibsen, is a remarkable achievement.

There has been widespread acclaim for “The Northman,” which is a big production. Alexander Skarsgard plays a Viking named Amleth in Eggers’ upcoming film, “The Lighthouse,” which has a budget of $90 million. In the United States, Focus Features is in charge of distribution, while Universal Pictures handles the rest of the world. However, despite the film’s enormous scope, it is not the most frightening.