The Old Guard reminds us of Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray
Actor Paoli Dam never aspired to become an actor but is elated over the recent success of Bulbbul and Kaali. With the release of the second season of Kaali, an original web series on Zee5, and Bulbbul on Netflix, Paoli’s work has been appreciated by critics and viewers alike. She talks to G20 about looking forward to a coronafree world, the possibility of meeting people in person and getting a chance to entertain her audience again.
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In his 1890 novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, Oscar Wilde brought us face-to-face with something quite remarkable. And here I don’t just mean a central character that doesn’t age. What Wilde offers is something far more intricate. He presents us with a character whose deeds are bound to a portrait. And so while Dorian Gray stays young and beautiful, his portrait ages and records each and every sin that he commits. Gradually, the portrait becomes so hideous that it becomes impossible to identity it—serving as an irrefutable reminder of his guilt. This brings us to the new Netflix film titled ‘The Old Guard’, directed by the American filmmaker Gina Prince-bythewood, which also deals with characters that don’t age. The action-fantasy film follows a covert group of mercenaries with a mysterious inability to age or die. The film is adapted by Greg Rucka, who also created the 2017 comic of the same name on which the film is based, along with illustrator Leandro Fernández.
The Old Guard throws in an interesting mix of characters who like to see themselves as heroes who have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But deep down their guilt is as real as Dorian Gray’s portrait. Now, on one hand we have the leader of the pack, Andy (essayed by Charlize), who has been around for thousands of years. “That woman has forgotten more ways to kill than entire armies will ever learn,” remarks one of her comrades. But despite having fought thousands of battles across different ages, she still has the looks and physique of a young woman.
On the other hand, we have Nicolo (essayed by Luca Marinelli) and Joe (essayed by Marwan Kenzari), who are former Crusaders.
Q: You are what drives Kaali as the Zee5 series centres around you. What made you accept this role? A: First of all the story, screenplay, the character, the unit you are working - these are some things that come in the priority list. But this particular project is the fact that it was a homage to womanhood - it celebrates femininity, motherhood, women’s empowerment - what we talk about in these times. Kaali is the symbol of power and hope. As the name suggests, the protagonist is that - she is compassionate and perseveres to fight against all odds. The show is in a very interesting space - it’s an extraordinary journey of this very ordinary woman and it also captures the unseen underbelly of Kolkata which has never been seen before. When my friend and producer, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, narrated the script, I could immediately relate to it.
Q: In what ways do you identify with Kaali as a character?
A: I think the very essence of her - her indomitable spirit, how feisty she is, her presence of mind. You put her in any difficult situation, she’ll come out victorious. This is what I could relate to her.
Q: Kaali season 1 was a hit. Did you feel a lot of responsibility in fulfilling audience expectations with Season 2? Paoli: Honestly, the pressure was there when we were launching season 1. You don’t know how something will fare till it reaches the audience. Once Kaali season 1 - the protagonist and the story around her - was widely accepted and appreciated, the pressure was gone. Season 2 was made on a much bigger scale with more characters. When there were so many talented people on board, why would I feel any pressure? (laughs) Q: Coming to director Anvita Dutt’s Bulbbul, it was a beautiful fantasy film.what was challenging about playing Binodini? A: Clean Slate Films has been doing some wonderful work centred around women protagonists. Before even reading the script, I knew it was something different and wonderful and I was excited. As a kid, I was always fascinated with folktales and fairytales.
For the first time, I got time to work in the fairytale space which is also a serious drama. When I first read Binodini’s part, I was wondering why she is so weird and extremely mean. I didn’t know how to approach her because I couldn’t relate to her and didn’t want her to be in your face. The inputs that came from the gorgeous - and one of the best human beings I’ve known - completely changed the way I wanted to portray her. She said Binodini is a child who was full of regressive thoughts and beliefs that pollutes the mind of a child. She was empty and someone longing for love. She never took the leap of faith to change her aspirations. She was the most tragic character in the entire film.
For the first time, I got a character who was the victim of a misogynistic society and playing that was a challenge.
Q: As an actor, what do you look for in your roles?
A: I enjoy playing a woman of substance and entering into uncharted territories. I want to play characters that have not been done before.
Q: You work mostly in Bengali films. Is that by choice or you don’t get offers that you like from Bollywood?
They once fought and killed each other over and over again but now are lovers as well as brothers-in-arms. Then there is Booker (essayed by Matthias Schoenaerts), a soldier who once served Napoleon. They all look the same age as Andy even though they are much younger than her. Having stuck together through thick and thin for centuries, the quartet begins to find threatened when their identities are suddenly exposed during a mission.
In order to help eliminate the threat, Andy now must recruit a marine named Nile (essayed by Kiki Layne) who possesses the same gifts. But will she be able to convince her to leave everything aside and join her team of ageless mercenaries?
The Old Guard is essentially an escapist entertainer that’s ideally suited to the COVID-19 times. Theron, thanks to her exploits in films like Atomic Blonde and Mad Max: Fury Road, is one of the most sought-after actors for action-oriented roles. The Old Guard is another attempt to encash upon her reputation as a female action icon. Interestingly, she is also one of the producers on the film. Now, while the action sequences in The Old Guard are quite brilliant, it is nowhere near the brilliance of Atomic Blonde or Mad Max: Fury Road. But, overall, it is much better than Extraction, which premiered on Netflix a few months back.