Hungarian director Kornél Mundruczó has reunited with acclaimed actress Ellen Burstyn for his latest film, “Place to Be,” premiering at the Venice Film Festival. The two previously collaborated on the 2020 drama “Pieces of a Woman,” and Mundruczó was eager to work with Burstyn again, describing the experience of directing her as working with a true master of the craft.
For this project, Mundruczó deliberately sought to showcase a different side of Burstyn’s career. Rather than continue exploring the darker material that has defined her seven-decade filmography, he crafted an unconventional love story. The film follows a widowed woman whose life changes when a pigeon enters her home, prompting a cross-country journey alongside a fellow traveler played by Taika Waititi. Mundruczó selected Waititi for his distinctive presence and depth, believing the two actors would create compelling on-screen chemistry.
The director drew inspiration for the film’s unusual premise from attending a pigeon race, recognizing in the birds a powerful metaphor for aging performers. Rather than rely on digital effects, Mundruczó prioritized authenticity by employing seventeen live pigeons to portray the film’s feathered protagonist. Production involved approximately 1,000 pigeons total across filming locations in Sydney and New York, with professional handlers ensuring the birds’ welfare throughout the shoot.
The film’s release is particularly significant as Burstyn receives a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at Venice, marking Mundruczó’s first substantial return to the festival since the pandemic-affected premiere of his previous work.
Originally reported by Variety →
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