Featured art by Bhernn Saenz. With images courtesy of A24 via CreaZion Studios.
MANILA, Philippines — This April, a daring adventure is set to unfold with A24’s The Legend of Ochi, the directorial debut of writer-director Isaiah Saxon. Produced by Jonathan Wang (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Richard Peete (Blue Ruin), and Traci Carlson (Killer Sally), the film stars Helena Zengel (News of the World, Transamazonia), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Emily Watson (Dune: Prophecy), and Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu, American Psycho).
The Legend of Ochi trails the otherworldly journey of Yuri (Helena Zengel), a teenager from the remote island of Carpathia. Raised by her loving yet fiercely militant father (Willem Dafoe), she has long been taught to fear and hunt the mythical creatures known as the Ochi. But when she stumbles upon a wounded baby Ochi, alone and vulnerable, she forms an unexpected bond with the creature. In turn, defying her father’s rules and the rigid beliefs, she sets off on a quest to reunite the baby Ochi with its family.
Production still courtesy of A24 via CreaZion Studios.
The Legend of Ochi is a story of love, longing, and acceptance. Saxon drew inspiration from the connection between a child and their pets, appreciating how a human and an animal can bond and communicate without words.
In this world of Ochi, shot in the Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania, Romania, lies a labor of love required to bring this new film experience to life. In creating this lush fantasy world, Saxon applied a practical, handcrafted approach, from visuals to puppetry operation. The ape-like baby Ochi is operated by puppeteers, while adult Ochis were brought to life by actors wearing animatronic limb extensions.
What’s more, in a world of increasingly sleek CGI, the imperfections of this kind of practical approach to the fantastical only adds depth to the viewer’s experience. Of this, Saxon highlights, “When you do something handmade, the imperfections become charming.”
Production still courtesy of A24 via CreaZion Studios.
Watch the trailer below:
Step into the world of The Legend of Ochi as it opens this April 25 in major cinemas nationwide.
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