In the crowded world of filmmaking, Budapest has increasingly become a hotbed of cinematic creativity, with ORIGO STUDIOS leading the charge as a premier hub for international productions. When it came time to bring the story of “Colette” to the big screen, director Wash Westmoreland and his talented team found an ideal partner in ORIGO STUDIOS, leveraging both its state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive services to craft a film that vibrates with historical authenticity and visual splendor.
“Colette,” shot in 2017, stars the magnetic Keira Knightley alongside the versatile Dominic West. The feature film delves deep into the life of the avant-garde French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, tracing her journey from a provincial upbringing to her status as an international literary phenomenon. The film explores themes of gender identity, artistic freedom, and societal norms, setting these against the lush backdrops of Parisian society in the early 20th century.
In bringing this narrative to life, ORIGO STUDIOS proved indispensable. The studio’s soundstages were crucial, providing expansive and adaptable spaces that allowed the production to construct intricate period sets reflective of turn-of-the-century France. The authenticity of these sets was integral to immersing audiences in Colette’s world. Alongside this, ORIGO’s meeting rooms served as the nerve center for planning and coordination, facilitating a seamless production process.
The “Colette” team also tapped into ORIGO’s renowned rental division, which supplied them with top-tier trailers and specialized production equipment. This access ensured that cast and crew could operate effectively and efficiently throughout the shoot, greatly contributing to the film’s high production values and polished final product. Moreover, dedicated office spaces at ORIGO provided a conducive environment for pre-production discussions, script revisions, and post-production planning, ensuring that creative and logistical elements were perfectly aligned.
Complementing the physical infrastructure, the workshops available at ORIGO were utilized to their full potential. Whether building intricate set pieces, crafting props, or fine-tuning costume details to capture the essence of the era, the workshops were a bastion of creativity and precision. With ORIGO’s comprehensive suite of facilities and services, Westmoreland was able to visually articulate a narrative that was as compelling as it was visually stunning.
The collaboration with ORIGO STUDIOS stands as a testament to the global nature of film making today and highlights the increasingly pivotal role that Budapest plays in Hollywood’s production landscape. By integrating local expertise with world-class resources, ORIGO has positioned itself as a preferred destination for filmmakers seeking unparalleled support and state-of-the-art facilities outside of traditional American and Western European locales.
“Colette” is more than a biopic; it’s a visual ode to the defiance and creativity that defined one of France’s most seminal writers. It succeeded in part due to the synergy between the film’s creative vision and the robust production backdrop provided by ORIGO STUDIOS. As Hollywood continues to seek diverse and vibrant locales for its storytelling canvas, studios like ORIGO are expected to remain at the forefront, driving this evolution and providing filmmakers with the tools they need to turn cinematic dreams into realities.