Culture and landscapes of Asia in general and Southeast Asia in particular are increasingly attracting attention from Hollywood filmmakers. Following the success of Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Turning Red (2022), and Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Creator (Tựa Việt: Kẻ Kiến Tạo) is the next film exploring the unique elements of this region. Notably, Vietnam plays a significant role.
According to director Gareth Edwards, the production team for The Creator traveled to Vietnam to shoot stunning scenes of rice fields, terraced gardens, and breathtaking mountain landscapes in Vinh Ha Long.
Stunning rice fields, terraced gardens, and breathtaking mountain landscapes in Vinh Ha Long appear in the blockbuster The Creator (Kẻ Kiến Tạo)
Outside of Vietnam, the production team also set foot in 80 different locations across 7 other countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, Indonesia, the UK, and the USA, highlighting the authenticity of the film’s setting. Filmmakers have made efforts to visualize what these locations will look like 30 or 40 years later when A.I. may dominate the landscape and recreate the atmosphere on screen.
The production team traveled over 16,000 km to 80 different locations across 8 countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan, Indonesia, the UK, and the USA.
Regarding the source of inspiration for building a dystopian future characterized by conflict between humans and A.I. in The Creator, director Gareth Edwards revealed that he drew from classic films about the Vietnam War, particularly Apocalypse Now by Francis Ford Coppola, and Joseph Campbell’s book The Hero with a Thousand Faces to complete this ambitious work.
Set in a time when A.I. suddenly becomes powerful and poses a threat to human existence, The Creator presents a bleak future where A.I. has advanced to a high degree and directly influences the survival of humanity.
The Creator presents a bleak future where A.I. has advanced to a high degree and directly influences the survival of humanity.
While Western governments adopt a cautious approach to A.I., many Asian countries are united in their development towards a future where machines differ little from humans and have their own unique rights. This leads to a conflict of perspectives between two opposing viewpoints between the West and Asia.
The main character of The Creator is Joshua (John David Washington) – a soldier from the USA, who operates secretly in Asia. He is separated from his wife, Maya (Gemma Chan), during an attack. Grieving for her supposed death, Joshua returns to the USA and struggles with his mental state. Five years later, he is summoned back to duty because he believes A.I. has created a weapon capable of turning the tide of war. Joshua is tasked with eliminating this weapon and is convinced that Maya is still alive.
After his success with Tenet, actor John David Washington continues to impress with a challenging role in The Creator.
Asian star Gemma Chan plays the role of Maya – the wife of main character Joshua (John David Washington).
Another key character introduced in this narrative is a 6-year-old girl named Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). From this point, Joshua begins to question the essence of A.I., its humanity, and the boundaries between right and wrong. With the main events unfolding in Asia, the film features familiar faces such as Ken Watanabe, Gemma Chan, and Ngo Thanh Van, among others.
Ngo Thanh Van also brings a captivating character to the film.
The Creator is not just a war film; it immerses the audience in action while also offering a reflective experience, bringing forward diverse perspectives on the existence of artificial intelligence.
The relationship between humans and machines is a central theme, one that shapes the current narrative landscape. Six years ago, Blade Runner 2049 with its deep explorations of the differences between humans and humanoids was etched into classic cinematic history. Will The Creator continue to push the boundaries forward?
The Creator (Kẻ Kiến Tạo) is officially released on September 29.
