'Avatar 2' 18-Minute Preview "Showing What Movies Are on the Screen" [2022 BIFF]

The 27th Busan International Film Festival On Site

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Busan=Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] 'Avatar,' which amazed the film industry in 2009 by attracting 13.33 million viewers with its innovative technology, is returning with a sequel after 13 years at the end of the year. The film "Avatar: The Way of Water" ("Avatar 2") premiered an 18-minute edited footage for the first time on the afternoon of the 6th at the 27th Busan International Film Festival. Producer John Landau visited Busan and met with reporters to discuss the preparation process and the overall film industry.

In "Avatar 2," Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who formed a family, continue their lives as they have grown. Through the family moving to the seaside, the natural environment and creatures of the planet Pandora are realized in 3D. John Landau said about the filming process, "The actors trained for two months just practicing holding their breath to feel comfortable in the water." He added, "In the sequel, another tribe, different cultures, and biospheres are added, and the tribes that appeared before also return. It was a task of building different cultures beyond just production."

John Landau said, "The theme centers on family. It will resonate with the perspective of overcoming difficulties to protect each other safely and finding oneself in life." He continued, "Beyond biological family, everyone we want to keep close is included in the family. With the support of family and community, we find the hero within. I hope people feel and create different worlds within that." He also showed confidence, saying, "We will show 'what cinema is' on the big screen."

Although it is an SF film, he saw it as a metaphor that can operate in the era we live in. John Landau said, "We don't have to say anything. It's fun. Entertainment is strong. It will naturally provide an opportunity to think about our world through the film."

When asked why it was first revealed at the Busan Film Festival, he said, "It is a key place to approach audiences in a broad sense." He said, "We made the film for universal audiences worldwide. We saw it as a strategically good festival to present the film to many viewers." He added, "We also chose it considering that it is a 'film festival' where people love movies and enjoy them on the big screen."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Photo by Busan International Film Festival

He did not hide the burden of releasing a sequel after 13 years. John Landau said, "Audiences have become smarter. Meeting their expectations is both a burden and a challenge as a producer," but emphasized, "Audiences have not changed. The desire for collective experiences is human nature. You can see it in concerts and going to church." He said, "In 1983, The New York Times reported that the traditional film business we know was a declining industry, and that entertainment could be enjoyed at a cheaper price." He added, "The business we are in will last forever."

"Korean audiences have high standards. We will come out with works that meet those standards. Our standards are even higher. After experiencing Korea's 4DX and ScreenX, we reconsidered during the production process. Before, we used to ask, 'Did you see this movie?' after going to the theater, but in the future, it will change to 'Did you experience this movie?' I am confident that when Korea's innovative screening technology combines with the good content we create, we will finally be able to say that."

John Landau, who is working on four "Avatar" films, hinted, "The first act of the four films is almost complete," adding, "The overall design is done, but filming has been completed up to the first act level."

Busan=Reporter Lee Isul