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| Dark City (1998) concept art by Peter Pound |
Every Friday I feature artwork from a classic of science fiction cinema. This week's "Flashback Friday" post is on Dark City (1998)
I'll never forget watching Dark City for the first time. I knew nothing beyond the image of the clock on the poster and the mystery had me spellbound. Dark City is a brilliant film. But, unfortunately, it came out the same year as The Matrix and people unfairly compared the two. While Matrix is an action film, Dark City explores what it means to be human and how we define ourselves by our memories. The film is a cinematic feast for the eyes, especially the final act. This isn't a surprise because, along with Alex Proyas' unique visual style, concept artist Patrick Tatopoulos is one of the production designers. One of the artists working with them was Peter Pound.
Peter Pound is a professional concept, storyboard artist and production designer who's worked on major films like Babe (1995) and he's also an accomplished painter, illustrator, sculptor and model maker
See more of Peter Pound's haunting portfolio at http://www.peterpound.com.au
Click on the links if you want to see more of Peter Pound's work or Dark City on my blog.
What do you think of the concept art and storyboards? If you've seen Dark City what did you think?
Official Dark City Summary
Alex Proyas, (The Crow) directs this futuristic thriller about a man waking up to find he is wanted for brutal murders he doesn't remember. Haunted by mysterious beings who stop time and alter reality, he seeks to unravel the riddle of his identity.
Directed by Alex Proyas
Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski
Production Design by George Liddle and Patrick Tatopoulos
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Richard O'Brien
Release date: February 27, 1998
Official Site: http://newline.com/properties/darkcity.html
© Copyright 1998 Mystery Clock Cinema, New Line Cinema. All rights reserved
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Those storyboards have a much more artistic quality than I expect to see. those things are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the movie a lot to. It was really dark. I never thought to compare it with the the Matrix, as I thought the Thirteenth Floor and Existenz were closer in concept. But I guess the idea that the world isn't real is still the through line in all those movies.
Wow, it's like a comic book. Always loved that movie
ReplyDeleteIt is. They should make a comic out of it actually.
ReplyDeleteDark City was a brilliant film. Like Rusty, I never compared it to The Matrix.
ReplyDelete