Making CG water look realistic is hard. Making an entire movie based in a boat is hard. But Director Ang Lee likes a challenge, so he made Life of Pi - a movie based on a so-called 'unfilmable' fantasy novel in a boat - on the water, in 3D, using technology that didn't exist a few years ago.
Lee told NPR's Guy Raz on Weekend All Things Considered that 3D is a valuable medium for "highbrow" movies, not just action flicks, and using it in Life of Pi lets the viewer really feel that they're immersed in the water and the story. During their conversation Lee said he's not sure what's next for him, or when he'll retire, as it's the movies that direct him, not the other way around.
On his way out, Lee stopped to show some NPR love. Knowing that he is a reserved person, I didn't want to push him to pose for the camera if he felt uncomfortable, but he told me, "I'll do it for my wife. She REALLY loves NPR."
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