Ultraviolet (2006)

To create the futuristic world Violet inhabits, the filmmakers settled on production designer James Choo, fresh off the recent Hong Kong hits Infernal Affairs I and II. Because of its impressive, innovative architecture, China was chosen as the backdrop for the shoot and helped give a certain feeling to the whole project. Most of the stage filming took place in Hong Kong in a controlled environment over two months. The cast and crew then moved to Shanghai where they completed filming on location.

Shot in the Pudong district of Shanghai, Ultraviolet filmed in several different architecturally famous buildings, including the Jin Mao Tower. Standing at 1380 feet, it is the tallest building in China and the fourth tallest in the world, boasting the largest and highest observation deck. The 5-star Grand Hyatt Hotel, which fills the top 38 floors, hosts the world’s highest hotel rooms. Filming also took place at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Science and Technology Museum, the Convention Centre, the Bank of China, and the Shanghai Information Centre.

“Defining this so-called ‘future world’ was a challenge,” says Choo, “how to unify the tone, the sets, the props, and even the cast so that every part fitted with the theme of the film and told the story.” Choo was greatful to be working with a detail-oriented director and writer. “Every scene in the script was clearly written and set out, which was a great help for me in creating the look of the film.”

The costumes were also crucial in grounding the film to a futuristic setting, and the filmmakers called on Joseph Porro to clothe the actors in a way that fit Violet’s world. “I love science fiction,” Porro says, “and this one had things in it I hadn’t seen before, which is a great creative challenge.”

Because of its comic-inspired look, Porro says he and Choo chose to work in blocks of color and concentrate on bringing those colors out. He also says it didn’t hurt to have Jovovich as Violet: “Milla’s all there, so I was very lucky to have her to dress. You don’t have to cheat anything with Milla – she’s got a great body.”

Dressing Jovovich could have had its challenges, Porro says. “Milla’s the kind of actress that could be a designer’s nightmare, to be quite honest. She’s doing a line of clothing on her own, she’s been around the fashion business, she’s intimate friends with many world-famous designers, and she’s done the whole fashion scene in Europe and the United States. She knows exactly what works.” But Porro found working with her a complete pleasure. “I liked the fact she totally gets it,” he continues. “She gets what works and what doesn’t and has a creative sense. She really brought something to the table.”

“Joseph is quite a character,” says Jovovich. “He’s just over the top, he’s wild, he’s an artist. He’s absolutely fabulous and I think you can see it in the movie. The costumes are like a futuristic Barbarella.”

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