What is it about?

Women of an isolated religious community struggle to reconcile their faith and everyday reality in 2010. Based on the novel by Miriam Toews.

AlloCiné: Sarah, tell us about the atmosphere during filming Women are talking ?

Sarah Paul: Everyone spent so much time together. Eventually, we formed a community of apprentice magicians who would receive tarot cards from each other to embroider together. There were also some kids constantly on set, like Rooney Mara.

When there was a difficult scene for an actor, all the other actors stood behind him to support him in his performance. What a good example of solidarity. It was really a shoot full of emotions, full of humanity. We became so close to each other. I believe that today we have formed an unbreakable bond. What’s amazing is that it all started with a virtual rehearsal via Zoom. And then we spent another week together, face to face, before filming. I have never seen it. But it was the only way to get so many people together for this shoot.

This is a powerful film with powerful women.

This is a powerful film with powerful women. It is a reflection on the concept of democracy, power and femininity. These are delicate and important conversations, especially these days. It’s also the idea that we don’t always have to agree, depending on the conversation, but we always have to know how to move forward and build the future together.

Claire, tell us about your character, Salome.

Claire Foy: What fortitude lives in her. He has to stay in the fight and he has to stay alive. Without her struggle, she no longer has meaning in her life and that of her daughter. He needs justice. Especially since he feels abandoned by his society. He wants those who wronged his son to pay a heavy price. He must believe in this fight for justice, it is what keeps him alive.

This character came to me quite easily because I’m full of rage and I’ve always struggled in life to get to where I am today. The only difference here is that you have to maintain the intensity of that character throughout the shoot. It’s not easy to last long with an angry character like this. It takes all your energy, it’s exhausting, but the result is worth it.

Rooney, does it seem like even when your Ona character is crying, she’s still smiling inside?

Rooney Mara: I don’t know if it was a real choice to smile or a face like he was smiling despite what he was going through. In any case, I am not of a smiling nature. It’s kind of hell in my life: people want to see me smile, but I can’t. So it’s funny to see me smile in this movie, I don’t know where it came from.

Dede, once again this film fits your filmography as a producer perfectly. What motivates you to make this or that film, and especially films of this weight, with such messages?

Dede Gardner, producer: It’s always the story itself that determines whether or not I get involved in a particular production. I think I’m drawn to stories that carry a lot of connection between the characters in the present story. And then, I always wonder if I could live without making this movie. Can I do without the production of this story. And here it is again; I would be really sad if I couldn’t produce Women Talking.

Still, I wonder if I could live without making this movie!

Liv, how did you approach your character?

Liv McNeil: Neige is someone who lives a lot inside herself. That’s why he paints. Through his paintings, he allows him to banish his experiences. This allows him to see the outside world. He teaches everything he hears and sees through his drawings. He always tries to think positively about his existence and future with his paintings.

Michelle, how does your character find the courage that she displays?

Michelle McLeod: That’s a good question. How she manages to find her inner voice that gives her the courage and wisdom to become who she really is. She is like Salome who does not give up and keeps on fighting. It is not easy for him because he is the youngest in the group. It is not easy for him to find his place among these adults. And I also wonder when and if he is an adult at some point. He has to find his own way, his own pace. He is a really fascinating character.

Ben, do you feel that your character of Ben, who is a bit twisted by these women, is taking advantage of him?

Ben Whishaw: That’s not how I feel. It is clear that there is some tension between these women and him. At the same time, he represents the type of person the world needs. Indeed, no one steps on any toes, and every woman is respected, except perhaps for Marisha, played by Jesse Buckley.

As for you, Judith, does your character seem crucial in this film?

Judith Ivey: She’s kind of the leader that nobody talks about in this movie. He is the one who tries to awaken others and show them the right path. He sees how his entire community will have to show courage from here on out. She knows how to use forgiveness to move forward and empower all women who want to change their destiny.

Of course, making this film changed my view of the concept of forgiveness. I believed that I could forgive in my personal life, and in fact, I realized that I could not. I now realize that forgiveness is necessary in order to move forward in life.

Comments collected during the round table by Emmanuel Iter