Ridley Scott, 'In the post-apocalyptic world of The Dog Stars the chaos of today'

Ridley Scott has described his new film The Dog Stars as a reflection of today’s chaotic world, drawing parallels between the post-apocalyptic setting and current global crises. The film, based on a 2012 novel by Peter Heller and recently released with a new edition published by Bompiani, stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce. It opens in Italian theaters on August 26 through Walt Disney Company Italy. Shot primarily in Italy, the production took place in diverse locations spanning the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Veneto, Abruzzo, and Lazio, with part of the filming conducted at Cinecittà studios. Set in 2035 in Eerie, Colorado, the story follows a world devastated by a deadly influenza outbreak that has killed most of humanity. Survivors suffer from a debilitating blood disease, while two central figures, Hig, a young pilot played by Elordi, and Bangley, a war veteran portrayed by Brolin, take refuge in a self-sufficient farm they built on a deserted airstrip. While Bangley prefers isolation, Hig ventures out regularly in his plane, delivering supplies to a nearby Mennonite community and searching for uninfected humans. His unexpected landing at the hidden home of Pops, played by Guy Pearce, and his daughter Cima, portrayed by Qualley, leads to a shocking revelation. In a virtual press conference, Scott emphasized how the film mirrors contemporary realities. “People don’t watch the news anymore,” he remarked. “I still do, watching international broadcasts twice daily. Much of what we see in the movie is already happening. We live with blinders at all levels, dealing with emergencies like climate change, but especially with chaos and disasters in many parts of the world.” He clarified that The Dog Stars is not meant to be a documentary, though its purpose is to entertain and provoke thought. “It’s not just about smiling at a stupid movie,” he said. “The best thing happens when a story starts talking to you.” Scott explored themes of human behavior, focusing on empathy, understanding, and humor as ways to navigate despair. He admitted these elements help mask deeper concerns about the present. “Being Celtic, I have a very dark side,” he explained. This dark tone drew criticism when he directed Blade Runner, particularly from critic Pauline Kael, who wrote extensively about the film. “She wrote four pages of destruction,” Scott recalled. “I framed them and keep them in my office. From there, I learned not to read anything written about me, whether positive or negative.” Reflecting on global health issues, Scott mentioned a proposed 1994 film project involving Jodie Foster, which would have depicted an Ebola epidemic in West Africa. “An epidemic similar to this one has just occurred again and is out of control because global funding for CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has been cut,” he noted. He believes the United States should continue to act as the world’s “sentinel” on such matters, echoing its historical role. Scott also discussed the Italian and French cinematic traditions, which he considers more influential than Hollywood. “Italian and French cinema were my school, even more than Hollywood,” he stated. “A tradition that Italy has lost, but things are improving.” He recounted meetings with directors like Federico Fellini and Sergio Leone, recalling how Fellini showed him his sets, including one featuring a massive ship and another with pistons as large as buildings. “He was very proud,” Scott remembered. “He wore a classic English Mackintosh coat and a big Burberry scarf, a detail I’ll always remember.”