Cast
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Tilda Swinton
as Alithea
Idris Elba
as The Djinn
Erdil Yaşaroğlu
as Professor Günhan
Sabrina Elba
as British Council Lady / The Watcher
Sarah Houbolt
as Airport Djinn
Seyithan Özdemir
as Pale Djinn
Aamito Lagum
as The Queen of Sheba
Nicolas Mouawad
as King Solomon
Ece Yüksel
as Gulten
Matteo Bocelli
as Prince Mustafa
Lachy Hulme
as Sultan Suleiman
Megan Gale
as Hürrem
Oğulcan Arman Uslu
as Murad IV
Jack Braddy
as Ibrahim
Zerrin Tekindor
as Kösem
Crew
Director
- George Miller
Writer
- Augusta Miller
- George Miller
Producer
- George Miller
- Doug Mitchell
Reviews
CinemaSerf
"Alithea" (Tilda Swinton) is a solitary scholar who travels to Istanbul to address a conference on the relative merits of myth v science. At the seminar, she starts to hallucinate and the seed is sown that perhaps the mystical is not so far-fetched as we might think! A visit to the Grand Bazaar sees her acquire a small blue bottle that, when attacked rather unceremoniously with an electric toothbrush, spills it's contents into her hotel room. A giant, hairy-legged Djinn (Idris Elba). In keeping with tradition, he offers her three wishes - but she is sceptical. Easy come, easy goes thinks she - and as the couple chat, she discovers just how he became incarcerated in this, his third, bottle. His are tales of love, lust, greed, power and sadness and he depicts them to her of his life of some thousands of years. He also declares just why it is so important that she actually makes her wishes; for without those he can never attain his freedom. It's good fun this film. An anthology of scenarios that entertain and amuse with a worldly and generous effort from the sagely Swinton who gradually falls in love with her now normal-sized companion. The dynamic between the two stars is engaging and effective, the latter delivering a charming contribution to a simple story of the problems of a series of unrequited loves over the centuries that will probably never find a straightforward solution! It's a quirky film, that moves along quickly and I really quite enjoyed it.
Sep 3, 2022
Manuel São Bento
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"Three Thousand Years of Longing is one of the most ambitious films of the year.
Relying on the genuinely charming, mesmerizing performances of Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton, George Miller approaches a famous cautionary tale through a distinctive form of storytelling, focusing on flashbacks narrated by the male protagonist. The multiple stories of the past aren't always fascinating, partially due to the chosen narrative method, which becomes repetitive despite enriching some of the core themes.
The immersive, atmospheric visuals elevate the overall piece with significant impact, making this a cinematic experience to leave any viewer contemplating life, desire, loneliness, and happiness."
Rating: B+
Sep 16, 2022
Nathan
I did not have many expectations for _Three Thousand Years of Longing_, but after leaving the theater it left me longing for more. I do not think any individual part of this film was inherently bad. The performances by Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton were captivating and their on-screen chemistry was amazing. The flash backs to the characters' lives were very fascinating. I really enjoyed exploring the lives of ancient civilizations in the eyes of George Miller. The overarching plot was decent, nothing spectacular. But the collection of all these different elements together just felt like a jumbled mess. The movie never gets in a groove and always feels like it is stumbling its way to the finish line. I felt the opening sequence was incredibly rushed and the audience does not really get to form a connection with Alithea before she unleashes the Djinn, and from there on the audience is whipped back and forth from flashback to present day and it feels incredibly disjointed. The jumbled up second act, deflates any type of momentum going into the third making it fall flat on its head. All this compiled together made a somewhat emotional and touching ending feel hollow and lackluster. Overall, as a collection of short stories this movie was a good time, but really does not belong together in a jumbled-up mess of a plot.
**Score:** _53%_ |
**Verdict:** _Average_
Oct 14, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Three Thousand Years of Longing examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director George Miller brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2022, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Three Thousand Years of Longing took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $60.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 108 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 148 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- The costume department created over 458 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 8 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2022, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Three Thousand Years of Longing shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Miracle Season, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Three Thousand Years of Longing offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like West Side Story and The Piano Teacher explore similar territory, Three Thousand Years of Longing stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 24, 2022
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Revenue: $20,300,000
