Having previously collaborated with Ellen Burstyn on his 2020 drama “Pieces of a Woman,” director Kornél Mundruczó knew immediately he wanted to work with her again. Mundruczó, speaking from Budapest, expressed profound admiration for Burstyn, stating, “Just to work with her was on another level. I felt I was with a master.”

Recognizing Burstyn’s extensive 70-year career, largely defined by intense roles in horror and serious dramas like “The Exorcist” and “Requiem for a Dream,” Mundruczó envisioned a different path for her next project. “I always wanted to give her a love story because her body of work is rather dark,” he explained. “I wanted to do kind of a light movie for her, that was also something very important and special for me.”

This vision materialized into “Place to Be,” which is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The occasion is particularly special as Burstyn will also be honored with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Mundruczó describes the film as an “urban road movie” where Burstyn plays Brooke, a widow facing pressure from her children to move into a retirement home. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a pigeon flies into her window and refuses to leave. This leads Brooke on a cross-country journey to return the bird to its owner, encountering the charming divorcee Nelson (Taika Waititi) along the way. Their unlikely friendship, forged with each other and the pigeon, teaches them that it’s never too late for a new chapter.

The inspiration for the pigeon central to the story came from Mundruczó’s attendance at a pigeon race. He was struck by the beauty and historical significance of these “messenger birds,” noting their importance from ancient times. He also saw the pigeon as a powerful metaphor for aging stars, retaining their inherent quality even when their perceived importance in the modern world might wane.

Casting Burstyn’s co-star presented a unique challenge. Mundruczó sought a strong personality who wasn't just an actor but possessed a genuine, multifaceted character. Taika Waititi came to mind. “Taika has kind of what Robin Williams had, like this sad clown,” Mundruczó observed, highlighting Waititi’s ability to project both cheerfulness and underlying depth. The chemistry between Burstyn and Waititi was immediate and powerful, quickly blossoming into “a big love” on set.

The supporting cast features Murray Bartlett and Pamela Anderson as Burstyn’s children, a casting choice that Mundruczó says resulted in a believable family resemblance. “When you see them together, you completely believe that they are family,” he remarked.

Perhaps the most demanding star of “Place to Be” was the pigeon itself. Mundruczó insisted on using real birds over CGI, with seventeen different pigeons playing the role of Intruder, the name Brooke gives her feathered companion. Ellen Burstyn reportedly “fell in love with at least five of them,” a testament to the bond formed on set. The production, filmed in Sydney and New York, utilized approximately 1,000 pigeons for various scenes, all managed by professional handlers. Mundruczó proudly shared, “We didn’t lose a single pigeon!”

Ultimately, Mundruczó hopes audiences will leave “Place to Be” with a sense of hope and perhaps a newfound appreciation for pigeons. He emphasizes the symbiotic relationship portrayed in the film: “From Brooke’s perspective, she wants to help this little bird, but at one point the bird helps her. And that’s true as well for Nelson’s character. This little bird is help for both of their lives.”