“David Kronenberg Invented the Genre”: Author of Future Crimes Seen by Leah Seidu and Kristen Stewart.

David Cronenberg passionately loves actors, especially those who are fearless. This is necessary in order to meet the expectations of a filmmaker who can do everything. In The Crimes of the Future, in his twenty-second feature film, he is surrounded by a golden trio: Viggo Mortensen, Leah Seidou and Kristen Stewart. Three different career sensibilities, but always ready to cross its boundaries on screen.

At the 75th Cannes Film Festival, where the film will be screened in the official competition, three headliners were handed over to AlloCiné. They talk about the relationship of trust with the director, his special style and the power of cinema that takes the viewer out of the comfort zone. Meeting on the roof of a hotel in Cannes.

Enter the world of Cronenberg

Whenever Lea Seidu Receives a call about connection Crimes of the futureHe stands in line to see Crash, another directorial film, at a Paris cinema. A sign of fortune. He first had to play Timlin, the role now played by Kristen Stewart. “But I could play any role for him“, he says.

The two actors are signing their first collaboration with David Cronenberg. His huge career inevitably raises some fears that dissipate very quickly on the set. “I was so nervousRemember Kristen Stewart. But he knows how to dispel fears, for he is a man of great humility and tenderness. Which is surprising when you know his movies.”

Lea Seidu confirms this: “It’s funny because when people think of him as a very mysterious man, but when you know him, he’s a very human person. We did not talk about the project at all, because in my opinion, when you make a film, you have to keep secrets for yourself. We talked about life, love, and these conversations helped me nurture my character. ”

for that Viggo Mortensen, This film marks his reunion with a longtime friend. She traveled with him four times and even offered a small role in her feature film Falling. David Cronenberg plays … a proctologist, of course. “I have a special relationship with himhe says. We share a certain sense of humor about life. There is trust between us. Thanks to this, I am ready for anything. I can do things for him that I might hesitate to do with other directors. ”

Exceed yourself in the team

While playing in David Cronenberg, Lea Seidu Was able to overcome fear. “I need cinema and this form of expression, which is a game to overcome itReveals it. So far so good, you know you’re going to have adrenaline rush, and that ‘s always the case in my movies. Finally, we almost become addicted to this feeling. “

Kristen Stewart was amazed by the filmmaker’s instinct to shoot:He allowed me one or two attempts, I was going to start over, but he came to me with a smile and said: No, it’s wonderful! I was very surprised because his films are very accurate, but on the set, it is an improvised movie. I did not even want to leave when the shooting was over. “

Avant-garde author

Works of David Cronenberg Has the peculiarity of development over the centuries. A misunderstood film on release may reappear or be rehabilitated decades later. Whether it is a hallucinatory thriller, satire or dystopia, its stories are always one step ahead of the world.

“He carefully chooses what his characters say and where he puts the cameraArgues Viggo Mortensen. Compared to other directors, his films are gaining in-depth viewing. He is ahead of the community in many ways. ”

For example, cite an actor Accident, The film was released in 1996 and was awarded the Jury Prize in Cannes. “This project caused a lot of controversy, but I think people were not ready for it. When I see him again today, I notice something new. It was not just a shocking wish. ”

Script Future crimes It was written more than twenty years ago and seems more relevant than ever. “I could not believe itSurprised Kristen Stewart. It feels like he wrote this story in response to the last three years. ”

On his side, Lea Seidu Was fascinated by the richness of the objects hidden on the screen: “The environment, the art, the plastic, what we eat and what we leave for future generations. Moreover, the film opens with a child. It represents the future, but that future is already dead. Fortunately, there is some hope for the tenderness that appears in the film and that did not appear in the script. ”

Disturbing peaceful mind

Shaking the audience to better interrogate them has always been one of the goals David Cronenberg. Kristen Stewart is pleased to present such a film at the world’s largest film festival. “Especially since I’m from a country where we’re talking about ‘industry“- he adds. This is the “film industry”. That one word makes money. Movies have to pay at any cost. It is not just for fun, it is designed to ask the right questions and ask ourselves who we really are.. ”

“Every director has his own language and David’s language is so personal, specialConcludes Lea Seidu. I think he invented the genre. When we go to see one of his films, it is a sensory experience, we are crossed in his body. He is still one of the few who causes this. ”

Interview by Thomas Desrosch, Cannes, 23 May 2022.

Crimes of the futureIn cinemas on May 25, 2022.