``EO'' A Polish master who takes advantage of the donkey's habit of hurrying to the person he loves

Why we cast six donkeys

However, in reality, there were many difficulties in using donkeys in movie shooting. Six donkeys were cast to play EO. The main character played was a male donkey named Octopus. Director Skolimowski saw an octopus as the first donkey he saw, and the moment he met him, he was cast in the role of EO. ``The deciding factor was that Octopus already had acting experience in commercial shoots and was familiar with cameras and lighting,'' Skolimowski confesses.

Apparently, taking advantage of the donkey's habits on set made the filming process go more smoothly. "Most donkeys have a strong male-female partnership, so for example, when we're moving an octopus from point A to point B, we ask his partner to wait at point B. This makes it easier to move. That's why."

“EO” © 2022 Skopia Film, Alien Films, Warmia-Masuria Film Fund/Centre for Education and Cultural Initiatives in Olsztyn, Podkarpackie Regional Film Fund, Strefa Kultury Wrocław, Polwell, Moderator Inwestycje, Veilo ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Donkeys are also said to be delicate. "We were very careful when transporting the donkeys. We contacted the zoo and arranged a special vehicle to transport the donkey, and we drove it to avoid shaking as much as possible, but the inside of the vehicle still vibrates to some extent. If this happens, the donkey will become stressed and look visibly exhausted after being transported for several minutes, making it impossible to use it for filming.In that case, find another male-female couple at the destination location. That's why six donkeys were cast,'' says Skolimowski.

For those of us who watch the movie, even though one donkey is the main character, it is almost impossible to tell where the donkeys are replaced. EO's eyes have not changed at all through his turbulent fate, starting with his performance in the circus and moving from Poland to Italy. It is true that because it does not change, the sadness of that fate increases. After all, it can be said that the story of this work came to fruition thanks to the donkey with these eyes.

A red screen indicates a premonition of danger.