“It feels alive”: The Legend of Ochi director on the power of puppets
Engadget - Apr 25th, 2025
The Legend of Ochi, directed by Isaiah Saxon, is a unique film that challenges conventional filmmaking norms by embracing practical effects and puppetry over computer-generated imagery (CG). Saxon, who faced significant challenges in bringing this original story to life, finally secured backing from A24 after years of prototyping and developing a compelling visual package. The film tells the story of Yuri, a young girl who reevaluates her understanding of the mysterious Ochi creatures in her village, with the help of an intricately designed puppet. The production involved extensive rehearsals and innovative techniques to bring the puppet to life, showcasing the dedication to craftsmanship in a market dominated by CG.
Saxon's commitment to practical effects is a nod to traditional filmmaking, reminiscent of the scarier children's films from the '80s and '90s. His decision to use puppetry, despite the modern trend towards digital effects, highlights a desire to create a more tangible and authentic cinematic experience. The film's development journey underscores the challenges of creating original content in a landscape heavily influenced by corporate intellectual properties. Saxon's refusal to work on established IPs, including Marvel projects, underscores his commitment to originality and artistic integrity. This film not only represents a personal triumph for Saxon but also raises questions about the future of filmmaking and the balance between traditional and modern techniques.
RATING
The article provides a compelling and largely accurate account of the film 'The Legend of Ochi,' highlighting its originality and the creative challenges faced by director Isaiah Saxon. It excels in clarity and readability, offering an engaging narrative that captures the reader's attention. However, the article could benefit from greater balance by incorporating diverse perspectives and more comprehensive source quality, including additional authoritative voices from the industry.
While the article is timely and relevant to discussions about originality in cinema, its impact and public interest are somewhat limited by its focus on a niche film. Enhancing transparency and including more interactive elements could further improve the reader's experience and engagement. Overall, the article successfully informs and entertains, though opportunities for deeper exploration and broader context remain.
RATING DETAILS
The article provides a largely accurate depiction of the film 'The Legend of Ochi,' focusing on its originality, production challenges, and unique use of puppetry. The claim that the film is an original story is verified by multiple sources, confirming its status as not based on pre-existing intellectual property. The article accurately conveys the challenges faced by Isaiah Saxon in getting the film made, aligning with known timelines and production details.
However, certain elements, such as the specific involvement of John Nolan Studios, are not explicitly verified in primary sources, though the use of animatronics is consistent with the film's description. Additionally, while the article mentions Saxon's rejection of Marvel offers, this specific claim lacks direct source verification. Overall, the story's factual accuracy is strong, with minor areas needing further verification.
The article primarily presents the perspective of Isaiah Saxon, the film's writer and director, focusing on his creative vision and the production journey. While this provides a detailed insight into the film's development, the article could benefit from additional viewpoints, such as those from other crew members or critics, to offer a more balanced perspective on the film's reception and industry impact.
By centering on Saxon's experiences and opinions, the article may inadvertently downplay other significant aspects, such as the audience's reception or the broader industry context. Including more diverse perspectives could enhance the article's balance and provide a fuller picture of the film's significance and challenges.
The article is well-written, with clear language and a logical structure that effectively conveys the story of 'The Legend of Ochi.' It presents the film's unique aspects, such as its use of puppetry and the challenges faced during production, in a manner that is easy to understand and engaging for the reader.
The narrative flows smoothly, with Saxon's quotes integrated seamlessly into the text, providing a coherent account of the film's development. However, the article could benefit from clearer distinctions between verified facts and personal opinions, ensuring that readers can easily differentiate between the two.
The article relies heavily on an interview with Isaiah Saxon, which provides firsthand insights into the film's production. However, it lacks a broader range of sources that could lend additional credibility and depth to the narrative. While Saxon's account is valuable, corroborating it with information from other industry professionals or critics would enhance the article's reliability.
Furthermore, the absence of direct citations or references to external sources, such as reviews or industry reports, limits the article's ability to substantiate its claims fully. Incorporating diverse and authoritative sources would improve the overall quality and reliability of the information presented.
The article provides a transparent account of Isaiah Saxon's experiences and motivations, offering insights into the film's production process and challenges. However, it lacks explicit disclosure of the methodology used to gather information, such as the context or duration of the interview with Saxon.
Additionally, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest, such as any affiliations the writer may have with the film's production company or individuals involved. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the reader's understanding of the factors influencing the article's content and ensure a more impartial presentation.