Scorsese cites influence of Orson Welles' The Trial
Via web translation of an interview with Argentinian director Celina Murga about her experience on the Shutter Island set: Buenos Aires' Clarin newspaper June 23, 2008 http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/06/23/espectaculos/c-00601.htm "It starts as a police but becomes a psychological thriller-account-more monstrous. Scorsese told me that I had to agree to see The Trial (Le Procès/El Proceso) by Orson Welles and told me that this movie was one of his references." The cast will be declared delighted with Ruffalo (Zodiac), who she defines as "a common guy, very good wave" and Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain), wife of deceased Heath Ledger. "The two work very well," she says. But the big surprise for her was Di Caprio. "I never liked him much earlier, but to see him work is incredible. It's a movie with lots of action, a lot of physical demand, four months of filming, and we have to see what delivery in each shot."

Thanks for the interview Arnzilla. Here's my attempt at a translation of the whole article (also with the help of online translators, since I don't know Spanish). Interview with Celina Murga "I feel like a kid in Disneyland" The Argentinian director won a scholarship and her mentor is Martin Scorsese. During the filming of "Shutter Island", the new film of the director of "Taxi Driver", she spoke with "Clarin". By: Diego Lerer From the filmset of Shutter Island, the new Martin Scorsese film starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Celina Murga sounds excited: "I feel like a kid in Disneyland," she said over the telephone. What is the filmmaker of Parana doing in the midst of this great production based on a novel by Dennis Lehane (Mystic River) and in which, in addition, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow and rising stars Mark Ruffalo and Michelle Williams are acting? The director of Anne and the others and One week alone-which passed by the BAFICI-won a grant from Rolex to spend a year developing her next project. And her mentor is none less than the director of Good Fellas. During a snack at a late shoot ("with the catering budget of this movie I filmed mine," she says, between plates of salmon, sushi, pasta and Swiss chocolate), Celina talks about her experience behind the cameras with Scorsese. "I did not know well what I would encounter -account-." And the truth is that it is very impressive, almost excessive. The facilities, the lights, the trailers: something unthinkable for us. But at the moment you have the fantasy that everything works as a perfect machine, it is not the case: the weather issues, for example, you can not manage in any way. And there are always calculations that go wrong. Not everything is as predictable as in your imagination." The Argentinian director is on the set in an incredible place: located behind the monitors together with Scorsese and responsible for continuity. "I am privileged. He works with two monitors and I'm sitting there. Besides seeing the shots, what is interesting is to see how the stage is handled. With the assistant director and director of photography (Robert Richardson, who Murga defines as "a huge one, a very friendly person") handle the stage with great attention to detail. I love being able to hear what they say, how the three contribute. And there is also Dante Ferretti, who is the art director, who built some breathtaking scenery." Murga reckons that they're now in a warehouse ( "in which an airplane would fit") where several sets have been built and that the problem "is that there should be clouds and not sun every day." The film, mind you, " is set in Boston in the 50s. Many scenes take place in a psychiatric hospital and it is quite claustrophobic." Shutter Island (whose title could change to Ashecliffe) focuses on two police officers (DiCaprio and Ruffalo), in 1954, arriving on the island from the title to investigate the disappearance of a patient (Williams) of the mental institution. Once there, one of them disappears and the other begins to uncover secrets of the experiments and that he himself could be a victim. "It starts off as a whodunit but turns into a more shocking psychological thriller -account-. Scorsese explained that it should remind me of Le Procès, by Orson Welles and told me that this movie was one of his references." The director, who is preparing the screenplay for Concordia (see Crimes in Concordia) admits that despite all the elements, "there is at times much tension on the set, a lot of things are playing, there is a lot of pressure. In addition, they have to finish no matter what by June 30 because one day later an actor's strike will start. " Regarding her relationship with the director of Raging Bull, she says: "I speak with him quite often between shots. He loves to talk and is all the time telling stories and making references to other films. He has an incredible memory and remembers scenes, characters, directors and situations. I do not want to take him out of his concentration, but he is very generous. One day we talk about a film that I did not know and he let one of his assistants bring it in for me. " Murga, said, was building the relationship with Scorsese "little by little, being here twelve hours a day, sharing everything that happens until a bad mood. Time built the relationship. At first I was not invited to see the dailies (daily checkup of shots) and now I am. It's very interesting to see him working with the editor (veteran Thelma Schoonmaker). the guy is 65 years and has an energy you can not believe. He has the spirit of an independent filmmaker. When things get tough is when he says Let's go!. In addition, although it seems incredible, he feels he's facing a challenge because he will never make a generic whodunit." Of the cast she states she is delighted with Ruffalo (Zodiac), who she defines as "a common guy, very good vibes" and Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain), wife of the deceased Heath Ledger. "The two work very well," she says. But the big surprise for her was Di Caprio. "I never liked him much earlier, but to see him work is incredible. It's a movie with lots of action, a lot of physical demand, four months of filming, and we have to see what he delivers in each shot. Scorsese told me the first few days about the fascination that his face brings you and it is absolutely true. He commented that you will be in love with his modus operandi: the guy has something with the camera, a bright and very special beauty."

Thanks, Joke. The Trial influenced Scorsese's After Hours as well.

Thank you, arnzilla & joke! Another film on the queue. :) Hadn't we talked about the Trial here before? It could have been the After Hours connection... Murga, said, was building the relationship with Scorsese "little by little, being here twelve hours a day, sharing everything that happens until a bad mood. :lol:

Thanks Joke... let's get anticipation going :-) wherever...

Well, the reference/influence was certainly more apparent to me in this film, than in the 3 noir films previously mentioned. I expect we'll see a lot of doors in SI... So much can be said about this film, but one of the things that struck out for me, was the constant succession of "cluttered" shots with "clean" ones. Claustrophobic sets followed by open spaces. Strict shadows to rich details. It made me feel like holding my breath... then exhaling. And again, and again... "To be in chains is sometimes safer than to be free" And two favorite moments :)

Thanks for The Trial primer and screencaps, Will. I haven't seen it since forever. Speaking of doors, do you remember if the Kafka quotes by After Hours' Club Berlin bouncer appear in The Trial?"I'll take your money because I want you to feel you haven't left anything untried."

No, I don't think it was in this version. But may have missed it, as all dialogue was dubbed, and this sometimes made it difficult to hear what they were saying.

I found it. It's from the opening narration. "I take what you give me only so that you will not feel that you left something undone."

Thanks Will for the Well's rememberances (I have not seen that one)... but I undertsand the reference, the feeling of claustrophobia, we're prisoners of it with SI, inner claustrophobia, the inner event you got petrified to, because of... like Rosebud. (Okay easy)

Thanks Arnzilla. Loved the clip and have added The Trial to my rental list. Expect it will be Will's version but looking forward to seeing it.

Really enjoyed The Trial. Like Lou and Will felt the claustrophobia was overwhelming at times and then those amazing scenes in huge caverns. Man's powerlessness in the face of society and the law where who you are seemed to mean more than what you did. Where people were kept trapped in a system waiting for justice and the people who really caused trouble and would not conform are dealt with swiftly and finally in the bottom of a pit. Did find the scenes from Arnzilla's clip right at the end although don't think they were as long as the clip. If Leo can be likened to any other actor always think it is Orsen Welles for the strength and sincerity of his acting. Was impressed by Anthony Perkins too, huge part and better than I remember him. So is this what we can expect from Ashcliffe? Felt like my mind had been turned inside out by the finish.

Will/Arnzilla Thanks for all the stills and clip. I haven't seen the movie but maybe when Shynney rewturns her copy it may come my way :D I think about Kafka and The Trial often probably because I work for a faceless bureauocracy. Just sometimes a little humanity shines through and makes it all worthwhile. I hope for something of this in Ashcliffe.