In her directorial debut “Land,” Robin Wright stars as Edee, a woman who searches for meaning in the harsh American wilderness following a near-death experience. The film takes place across two-and-a-half years, and the cast and crew pulled it off in just 29 days.
“There were a number of times where we’d be shooting a summer scene or an early scene and all of a sudden: 75-mile-an-hour winds,” Wright told senior film writer Matt Donnelly at the Variety Studio, presented by AT&T TV at the Sundance Film Festival. “We’d have to run back to the tent and change into winter wear and shoot year two in winter in a matter of 20 minutes.”
Not only did the wilderness set the pace, but it helped Wright get into character. She lived in a trailer on the film’s mountainside location and was able to wake up to the peacefulness of nature. A self-described “city rat” himself, Bichir reveled in the wilderness’ beauty.
“Every time I have a chance to be in front of nature… you’re not the same person after that. That to me was probably one of the most beautiful experiences ever as an actor,” he said.
Bichir also applauded Wright for her skill as a director. He was already a fan of her work on “House of Cards,” but was able to really see firsthand her skill as both an actor and director while serving as her co-star. The pair managed to capture a story that shows, as Bichir explained, that people can really do a lot for one another.
Added Wright, “I wanted to make a movie about hope and resilience and the kindness of human beings.”
