The Legend of Ochi, a new fantasy adventure film from A24, introduces a unique concept for the vocalizations of its titular apelike creatures. Director Isaiah Saxon had a specific idea in mind for how the ochi should sound, a mix of musical birdsong and dolphin noises, but realistically made by a primate. Saxon’s search led him to a serendipitous discovery on YouTube, where he found a video of a man named Manalatos demonstrating his throat-whistling skills.
The audio from this video was used for the first time the ochi speak in the movie. Manalatos was instantly captivated by the movie’s script, finding it remarkably relatable to his own life story. Saxon brought him into the recording booth, where Manalatos spent a couple of days hitting every emotional beat through throat-whistling.
In post-production, Saxon mixed in elements of mockingbird, raven, and whale sounds for the larger adult ochi, but the majority of the vocals are Manalatos’. Manalatos even taught Saxon and Helena Zengel, who plays the protagonist Yuri, how to throat-whistle.
Unique vocalizations in adventure film
However, Saxon decided it was medically unsafe for Zengel to perform the technique extensively, as it could have permanently ruined her voice. The Legend of Ochi, starring Helena Zengel, Emily Watson, and Willem Dafoe, crafts a world that is both familiar and enchantingly unfamiliar. The film’s tactile, fantastical quality evokes memories of adventurous, slightly eerie tales from a pre-social media era.
Directed by Isaiah Saxon, the film blends adventure and mystery, ensuring it will linger with audiences much like cherished childhood favorites. The Legend of Ochi is a standout among contemporary fantasy films, reaffirming A24’s commitment to unique storytelling and memorable cinematic experiences. The film is set for a wide release on April 25, following a limited release.
It offers a hopeful, heartfelt narrative, exploring themes of empathy, redemption, and the mending of broken families. However, families will need to discern if younger viewers can handle the film’s more intense and mature themes, including violence and a nuanced take on religious faith.
