Italian
Tarsem Singh’s ‘The Fall’ gets a stunning 4K restoration
A visual masterpiece reborn
Director Tarsem Singh has breathed new life into his visually stunning 2006 film, The Fall, with a meticulous 4K restoration. This enhanced version, which includes previously cut scenes, promises to offer an even richer viewing experience. The film, set in 1920s Los Angeles, follows an injured stuntman (Lee Pace) who spins an elaborate tale for a young girl (Catinca Untaru). The restored version is set to premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, a fitting stage for this cinematic gem.
The journey to restoration
Singh’s decision to restore The Fall was driven by years of fan demand. “People were buying it for $200-$300 on Amazon or eBay and complaining about it,” Singh noted. Realizing the need to preserve his work, he embarked on the restoration journey. The new version is approximately two minutes longer, featuring scenes that Singh regretted cutting, including one with a priest character. “The poor guy traveled with me around India for two months, and I gave him the ugliest haircut in the world to match a mountain for a particular dissolve. And then the scene I’d made his haircut for, I took it out,” Singh recalled.
Enhancing the narrative
To better frame the story, Singh added a title card at the beginning of the film, reading “Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles.” He described the film as a “grown-up’s fairy tale,” a concept that defies easy categorization. “It’s a line that I wish I had not taken out,” he admitted.
The technical challenge
The restoration process was no small feat. Co-producer Lionel Kopp and technical supervisor Alexis Cadorette Vigneau led the search for the original 4K files, which had been scattered following the closure of several production companies. Some visual effects were unfinished at 4K resolution, necessitating a return to original elements. “We had to go back to the originals on certain things and find those. And then we restored it all,” Singh explained.
Timeless quality
Singh believes The Fall possesses a timeless quality, describing it as a “pre-dated” film. He drew inspiration from Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, whose works never seemed to age. “When you look at it, you’ll be like, ‘Oh, this looks kind of dated.’ And then people watch it, 20, 25, 30, 40 years later, and everything around it will date, and that [the film] will be exactly the same,” Singh elaborated.
A blend of influences
The genesis of The Fall traces back to Singh’s childhood in Shimla, India, and the screenplay of the 1981 Bulgarian film Yo Ho Ho. Singh melded this foundation with his own experiences, including memories of a teacher, Mrs. Anand, whose storytelling prowess left an indelible mark on him. This blend, combined with his unique interpretations of Western media seen during childhood visits to Iran, shaped the distinctive structure of The Fall.
A unique storytelling approach
Singh’s storytelling approach was influenced by his exposure to Western media dubbed into Persian without a laugh track. This led to some creative retellings when he returned to school in India. “My friends would come up to me and say, ‘Hey, you should tell us about this really cool guy who was, like, James Bond, and he had a phone in his shoe, and he would get out of trouble,'” Singh recalled, referring to the 1960s comedy series Get Smart.
Filming across the globe
Singh shot The Fall across 24 countries, working without a completed script and filming in sequence with his young Romanian lead actress, Catinca Untaru. He praised actor Lee Pace for his ability to adapt to the improvisational approach while maintaining the story’s structure. “Lee Pace is lighting her, he’s talking to her, and he’s trying to make sure the story goes in the structure,” Singh said.
A hidden truth
Most of the crew, including Untaru, were unaware that Pace was not actually paralyzed during filming. “Nobody knew. The cameraman Colin [Watkinson] didn’t know,” Singh revealed. “Then, when everything was done, I had to tell them – it was quite a scene in there.”
Future projects
Singh is also in talks to restore his 2000 feature debut, The Cell, starring Jennifer Lopez, to 4K. “Two weeks ago, we got a call from these guys saying, ‘Hey, we’re doing a 4K restoration,'” Singh said. With new rights holders and festival interest, a completely restored version of The Cell is on the horizon.
Premiere and release
The restored version of The Fall will have its world premiere at Locarno, screening on the iconic Piazza Grande on August 8. Arthouse streamer and distributor Mubi has acquired global rights and will roll out the film on their service on September 27.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit The Fall.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive look at the restoration of The Fall, offering insights and reflections for cinema enthusiasts. The meticulous process and Singh’s unique storytelling approach make this a must-watch for fans of visually stunning and emotionally rich films.
