ElysiumArt_MarkSalisburyElysium: The Art of the Film by Mark Salisbury. Titan Books 2013. 164 pgs (hardback). Film tie-in, art, motion picture arts, photography.

 From Neill Blomkamp, the director of the acclaimed District 9, comes Elysium, an eagerly awaited sci-fi epic starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster.

All will be revealed in Elysium: The Art of the Film, which will feature a Foreword by Blomkamp, and a wealth of stunning production art and photos, including the input of legendary designer Syd Mead (Blade Runner, Tron).

Elysium: The Art of the Film is a beautiful coffee table book devoted to the art, cinematography, and design of the 2013 Blomkamp film. It is a sturdy hardcover with stunning photos, drawings, and insight into the decisions behind the film. I received this copy from Titan Books in return for an honest review, one that I am happy to supply.

This book is beautiful. I enjoyed both of Neill Blomkamp’s films, and having access to his visual design process is a real treat. Blomkamp once again teamed up with Weta Workshop for the design of the weapons, armor, and ships featured in the movie. The designs are stunning and the insight behind their development brings the film to life.

The content is split into two parts: things that appear on Earth and on Elysium. The designs from items on Earth are weathered and dirty, showing signs of prolonged wear and tear, since the lower-class citizens of earth would have few opportunities to have items repaired. The items on Elysium, however, are pristine, almost glaringly so. The concept designs in the book show the stark contrast between these two worlds, and the ways the designers went about making the two worlds entirely disparate.

There are versions of designs of Exo-suits, weapons, spacecraft, and the different environments found on both Earth and Elysium. The artistic renderings of both the items people use and the environments in which they live are stunning, and this book would make a lovely companion for anyone who enjoyed the film.