Fantasy Film “The Legend of Ochi” Inspired by Ukraine
On April 24, Ukrainian cinemas will begin screening The Legend of Ochi, a US-made fantasy movie inspired by Ukraine where magical beings and humans coexist. Directed by American debutant Isaiah Saxon, the film blends practical effects with a deeply emotional narrative set in the Carpathian region, Ukraine, The Gaze reports, referencing Suspilne Media.
Isaiah Saxon, who previously directed music videos for Björk and Kanye West, created “cinematic magic” on a modest $10 million budget. The film features a powerful international cast, including Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard.
Set in a remote Carpathian village, the film follows Yulia, a teenage girl played by Helena Zengel. “She understood the pain that teenagers feel when they try to express themselves; the discomfort and insecurity that arise when you say what you think and feel during your formative years,” said Saxon.
The story begins when Yulia discovers an abandoned and injured baby creature, called Ochi, believed by the locals to be a dangerous monster. Against village norms, she helps the baby return to the forest, forming an unlikely bond.
The film’s emotional core is deeply tied to Willem Dafoe, who plays Yulia’s stern father, Maxim. Saxon revealed he wrote the character with Dafoe in mind: “When I was writing this character, it seemed that Willem, whom I knew from other films, was helping me to shape the character. His voice was dictating the words in my head.”
Dafoe agreed to the role within 48 hours. “Isaiah Saxon has created a world that is neither purely realistic nor a complete fantasy. And it was exciting to join this world,” the actor shared. Saxon added, “the best special effects creature we have in a movie” is Dafoe himself.
Though originally planned to be shot in Ukraine, the ongoing war led Saxon to film in Romania instead. Still, the director was determined to remain authentic to his ancestral homeland. “I knew for sure that I wanted to shoot only on location, in the remote areas of the Carpathian Mountains,” he said.
Read more on The Gaze: Actors Who Filmed in Ukraine