The Bourne Identity (2002) Directed by Doug Liman
‘Who has a safety deposit box full of money and six passports and a gun? Who has a bank account number in their hip?’ Jason Bourne, The Bourne Identity.
Costume Designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Filmography: Cloud Atlas, A Hologram for a King, Babylon Berlin.
I spoke to Pierre-Yves Gayraud about what it was like to work on The Bourne Identity. Here are some short excerpts transcribed from the interview which you can listen to on the podcast.
About that burnt orange fisherman’s sweater
As he (Doug Liman) wanted only vintage stuff we had to make copies and duplication of everything. We collected in antique markets, a lot of flea markets in London, in Portobello Road. We grabbed a lot of stuff. (About that the burnt orange fisherman’s sweater) I have a knitting lady working in the countryside she made it by hand. It was a lot. (Of duplicates).
Can you remember which brands you did use?
About Clive Owen I confirm it was a Hugo Boss trench coat. For Matt Damon I have no remember about the military jacket, I thing it was a Belgium brand. For the black or dark navy coat it was from Paul Smith and it was a nightmare to collect it in 7 duplications.
Matt Damon in Paul Smith
How did you envisage the look of Jason Bourne?
We have to imagine what would be the outfit of an amnesic guy. At this time when they shot together and talked together. Matt Damon, Doug Liman and Frank Marshall brought all this background of costume. I remember we tried to justify every choice of Jason Bourne, he arrived in the middle of the sea, after that – he had to rebuild his identity.
It was a lot of improvisation. Doug (Liman) always delayed the answer. I have the reputation to be flexible. What he said to me at the beginning, ‘it was not interesting to have any sketches‘ he wanted to see the character in the costume, and (he said) ‘if I like it you will have to go and find a way to find a costume for the show‘.
About the watch
The watch it came from props. I think they had some deal with this brand (Tag Heuer).
What happened to the costumes after production?
After the wrap it was the first time I saw with an American system so everything was listed. Also the extras we bought, everything was sent to the states and after that I don’t know what happened with the costumes.
You can also check out Pierre-Yves’ website here.
Buy the films
Next on my reading list will be the Robert Ludlum books on which the Bourne films were based. These can be bought as a set on Amazon. The complete Bourne collection including the Jeremy Renner one, is now available as a box set. (Link below).
Location Found
Update: SEPT 2022: On the YouTube, I have uploaded a short video of a location from The Bourne Identity from my trip to the Greek Island of Mykonos.
Click on image to watch short video
My review
A film that has you in its clutches from the first minute to last. A film with zero fat. With a terrific fight sequence that changed the landscape for the action genre going forward. It’s every man’s dream to look at his hands and realise they’re weapons. The pen is mightier than the Uzi and every film should end with a Moby song. Maybe.
Props, Credits and Further Reading
Original exhibition can be found on this Rabbit Light Movies Blog.
Nick gives a good annotation on the Clive Owen assault gear on Bamf Style.
If you’re hunting down movie locations from The Bourne Identity, might I recommend this blog from our Agent Z, Czeching Out Prague.
Huge thanks to Robin Sheldon from Artistry for helping to facilitate the interview.
