20/10/2005

Roman Polanski charmed the press at the Rome screening of his latest film, Oliver Twist [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which is being released in Italy by Medusa Film on October 21 on 305 screens. The film was co-produced by RP Productions (France), Runteam II Ltd. (UK), and ETIC Films S.R.O. (Czech Republic).
In its look and feel, Polanski’s faithful adaptation of the misadventures of English literature’s most famous orphan are pure Charles Dickens – from the stark photography to the humorously grotesque characters (in particular, the exploitative Fagin, played by Sir Ben Kingsley). Polanski said he strove to give the film ‘a dark, romantic feeling without, however, rendering it expressionistic.’

The director’s straightforward approach to Oliver Twist surprised some but Polanski deflected criticism by joking: ‘I wanted to make a film for young audiences, from the ages of 9 to 99…but without explosions, lasers, swords or sound effects. If you’re looking for the “twist” in Twist, I’m sorry, I’m not your man!’

The film also drew parallels between the socio-economic situation of turn-of-the-century London and today’s world, which Polanski whole-heartedly confirms. ‘There are many parallels between the book and what’s happening to millions of exploited children today,’ he said. ‘London also grew very quickly then, like some cities in China nowadays, which are facing the same problems of massive immigration. People came from all over the country looking for a better life, which they obviously never found.’

The 72 year-old director added: ‘It’s as if I’ve lived in two different worlds…and I don’t like this new world very much. I have great nostalgia for the past, but don’t think that’s due to my age. People are always saying, “Everything was more beautiful when I was young,” but I still feel young!’