WithBreatheopening in theaters this weekend, I recently spoke toAndy Serkisabout his directorial debut. He talked about why people might not be expecting this kind of movie from him, how he got cinematographerRobert Richardsonto shoot the film, what he learned from doing second unit directing onThe Hobbitand working withPeterJackson, how friends-and-family screenings impacted the film, taking inspiration from Pixar’sUp, and so much more. In addition, Serkis talked about why we haven’t seen much from his version ofThe Jungle Bookyet and when he found out thatJ.J. Abramswas returning forStar Wars: Episode IX.
If you haven’tseen the trailersforBreathe, the film is based on the true story ofRobin Cavendish(Andrew Garfield), a young man who contracted polio in 1958 and became paralyzed from the neck down, requiring a respirator to breathe. At the time, mobility for patients on a respirator was non-existent, and we watch as Cavendish struggles to live through his new condition and as his wife, played byClaire Foy, pushes him to adapt and innovate according to his new situation.Breathealso starsTom HollanderandHugh Bonneville.
Check out what Andy Serkis had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about and the official synopsis.
Andy Serkis:
Here’s the official synopsis forBreathe:
For his directorial debut, Andy Serkis brings to life the inspiring true love story between Robin and Diana Cavendish (Academy Award®nominee Andrew Garfield, Golden Globe®winner Claire Foy), an adventurous couple who refuse to give up in the face of a devastating disease. After a fairytale-like courtship, Robin is struck down by polio at the age of 28, confined to a hospital bed and given only a few months to live. With the help of Diana’s twin brothers (Tom Hollander) and the groundbreaking ideas of inventor Teddy Hall (Hugh Bonneville), Robin and Diana dare to escape the hospital ward to seek out a full and passionate life together — raising their young son, traveling and devoting their lives to helping other polio patients. Written by two-time Academy Award nominated writer William Nicholson, and shot by three-time Academy Award winner Robert Richardson,Breatheis a heartwarming celebration of love and human possibility.
