Xavier Dolan. “When I first walked up the stairs, my right leg was shaking uncontrollably, I was afraid people would notice”

It seems unlikely that Xavier Dolan’s new film will compete for the Palme d’Or soon. Mother And Just the end of the world wants to leave the traditional system and devote himself exclusively to short films, series (he has already signed The night Laurie Gaudreau woke up) or feature films. “Performance and Performance Obligations” got better with her desire to pursue a film career.

Her curiosity and passion for other people’s stories, however, remains intact. So he agreed to chair the jury for this year’s Un Certain Regard, Cannes’ selection of up-and-coming filmmakers. “Even more than making films, discovering the talents of other filmmakers has always been essential in my career, both personally and professionally,” he recalled, announcing the nomination, which reinforces his aura as a key figure for the festival. Six of his eight feature films since 2009 have actually earned the honor of Cannes selection. Back in pictures.

Cannes ahead of its time

“As a child, I heard about the festival without clearly understanding its importance and central role in the history of cinema. When I became interested in more independent cinema, around the age of 16 or 17, I saw that the logo of the festival appeared in the intro of many films. It becomes for me a seal of authority and artistic wealth, a sign of excellence, even a goal, when I still don’t know how to deal with cinema. Is it immature, pretentious, or just a matter of youthful arrogance, but even before filming i killed my mother I tell everyone that we are going to Cannes. It is not a certainty, but an expression of a strong desire. I want the best for my film.”

2009: my professional birth

“I am 20 years old. When I arrive, I’m surprised by the frantic pace of the Croisette, the onlookers crowding around the barriers, the cyclists flipping their covers, the few sequins sticking out… It’s a brutal but exciting break from my daily routine. When? I killed my mother is presented at Directors’ Fortnight, I don’t know what to expect, and the emotion I feel is indescribable. Cannes became my artistic birthplace. There was nothing before. I didn’t go to film school, my acting career was too unstable and uncertain… As a child, people recognized me on the street because I starred in commercials for a Quebecois pharmaceutical chain, but at the end of the Cannes screening, movie lovers from all countries stopped and congratulated me for my work. I see it as a form of retribution, relaxation. I had to be resilient to carry this film, I invested in it the money I had saved as a child actor, I was the subject of a lot of ridicule, especially because of my Cannes ambitions. . When I won three awards at Fortnight, life told me that I was right to believe it.”

2010: my first walks

“Imaginary Loves is chosen in a certain way and I get extremely nervous when we get to the bottom of the steps. My right leg is shaking almost uncontrollably and I’m afraid people will notice. As the lights dim in the room, the festival logo precedes my film, Saint-Saëns’ music echoes. it’s very exciting. Experiencing it with Monya Chokri and Nils Schneider is wonderful. we thought of the film together, our siblings bonded during the production. However, during this festival I am in apnea, I feel a bit on the sidelines. I have the impression that my fellow filmmakers do not take me seriously. I’m either ignored at dinner parties or I’m a juvenile monster. Cannes sometimes teaches you humility, even in its most useless aspects. I still remember seeing Jacques Audiari being rudely reprimanded by a guy who didn’t know he was the star of the party, the director of a famous movie. We’ve pretty much all been there.”

2014: recognition

“I felt the acceptance of a big cinema family when Mother was selected by competition. Then I ‘establish’ myself as a filmmaker, in my own right, no longer as A to want I feel new waves and energy, which are confirmed when I receive the jury award. I’m over the moon. Jane Campion, who directed piano lesson one of my favorite movies presiding that year. When a group of artists as powerful and inspiring as its jurors (Sofia Coppola, Willem Dafoe, Nicolas Winding Refn…) recognizes your work, you feel more legitimate.

People still often talk to me about my speech and these few words that I still sincerely believe: Everything is possible for those who dare, work hard and never give up.” In order to succeed in the project of life, you must dream in it, put your passion and rigor into it, and remember this quote of Jean Cocteau later, Mother It holds a special place in my heart and in my history. this is the biggest commercial success of my career, the film that allowed me to enter a different audience and travel the world.

2015: my favorite season

“If you present your film in Cannes, you rarely have time to see other people’s films. So when I was asked to be part of the jury, which was led by the Coen brothers, I was very pleased. I was going to watch two films a day, some of the best in world production, then debate with artists I admire. This Cannes experience was one of, if not the, richest and most enjoyable of my life. There wasn’t much dissension in our jury, and unlike my first few festivals, that year I made connections and friendships that have lasted. Guillermo del Toro will visit me on set Just the end of the world A few months later and I was also seeing Rossi de Palma a lot… Frances McDormand also became a very dear person to me that year. I knew her because she often accompanied her husband, Joel Cohen, to screenings.”

Gaspar Uliel, solar actor

“What immediately comes to mind when I think of choice? Just the end of the world it’s Gaspar (Uliel, editor’s note). I have already said all that he meant to me in paying homage to the Caesars, and I do not wish to repeat it. He was only light, and all that is left of him is beautiful. Our friendship was born at another event dear to Thierry Fremaux, chief delegate of the Cannes Film Festival. Lumière Festival (the latter is also the director, editor’s note). In 2014, Marina Fois, Gaspard and I were invited to Lyon and didn’t really know each other. But we quickly formed an inseparable trio, always in the front row of Claude Sauté’s retrospective; is to make friends through someone’s movies.

2016

“There was a real meeting with the actors Just the end of the world (Marion Cotillard, Gaspard Ulliel, Vincent Cassel, Léa Seydoux, Editor’s Note), a real pleasure to work together, great emotions and pride to unveil the film at the Grand Théâtre Lumière in Cannes. But at this festival, I also had a breakdown after the over-reaction of the English-speaking press, which unanimously butchered the film and attacked me. I left really traumatized. The fact that artists like Mads Mikkelsen, Kirsten Dunst, Arnaud Desplechin awarded me the Grand Prix eases my pain, but this Cannes experience was very mixed.

2023: Justin Triet wins

“Before even seeing it anatomy of a fall I’m listening to Justin Triet’s speech when he gets the palm. It causes a wind of reaction, because it condemns certain defeats of the state financing system. However, it seems to me that it is important to warn against the commodification of culture, to defend the cultural exception, and to think about future generations in this way. There was also a slight paternalistic undertone to certain responses that bordered on sexism. I found him very brave, and my admiration increased when I discovered Anatomy of a fall. His film has perhaps one of the greatest marital confrontation scenes in cinematic history, and Sandra Huhler is exceptional.

Enchanted parentheses

During the festival, Thierry Frémaux organizes private lunches at the Café des Palmes within the Palais des Festivals. These are privileged, fraternal, happy moments, hidden from view. Only the jury members eat separately so they don’t try to get the worms out of their noses. I had some nice moments there, like the day in 2019 when Quentin Tarantino came to talk to me about “film and the film lab”; that year we were the only ones to introduce a 35mm print. For him Once upon a time in Hollywood… for me Mathias and Maxim. These moments symbolize what the festival is for me, a great meeting of creators and film lovers.”