The Peasantswould already be a daunting project in the best of times.
The Ukraine war cut much of the films staff in half.
All the women came to the border.
They were with their elderly mothers or their children.
We had to find them places to live, places for their kids to go to school.
The Peasantswas ultimately able to open their studio in Kyiv, but did not have consistent electricity.
Ultimately, the Welchmans sold someLoving Vincentpaintings and launched a Kickstarter to buy a generator.
Covid shut down the live-action portion of the shoot.
One scene with 60 people had one positive test, and could not resume live-action filming for one year.
Other live-action shots had to film outside of studio space.
In Warsaw they dont have a studio big enough for it so we had to do it outside.
The Peasantsis based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Wladyslaw Reymont.
She convinced Hugh they should adapt it for their next film.
For me, its an amazing book about the human condition and human relationships, he said.
I thought it was a universal story.
The Welchmans then convinced Penguin to produce an English language translation.
He was a specialist in Elizabethan English.
I had to read it with a dictionary.
I wouldnt say its easy reading but its worthwhile if youve got the time.
I wouldnt call it light reading but its rewarding reading.
The Peasantsis playing in Poland.
It opens in New York for a qualifying run in December.
Check out the panel video above.
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