How was the project born?Eduard Louis or the transformation ?
Francois Kaya : I wanted to work on the idea of transformation by recalling the trajectory of Edward Lewis, the young and prolix, in which an entire generation seems to find itself. I knew Edouard Lewis from the previous film, Foucault Against Himself, he helped me write the screenplay about the philosopher, where we were already talking about transformation. This time he is the subject of a movie. “Edward Louis, or the Transformation” is my sixth documentary about writers and thinkers.
Film Edward Lewis on stage. We didn’t know about his acting talent.
“Performer”, I don’t know, but actor, yes. He always wanted to be. Since childhood, he performed in amateur shows in his village. Then he went to Amiens High School in the theater department. So this is an old wish. A big leap happened when German director Thomas Ostermeier staged his autobiographical story “Who Killed My Father”. Edward Louis was chosen to play himself and I think he does very well. All the more so because here it is quite amazing on purpose: the author, the actor and the subject of the story are mixed together.
Edward Louis is the epitome of the class pervert, a label that simplifies the writer and locks him into a fixed image. In your film, you try to show him alive, funny, sometimes funny…
Yes, that was exactly my plan. Giving an opinion that has already spread well (five books in less than ten years) a very lively framework. Body, face, appearance, seriousness full of life. I wanted to photograph the one who speaks in front of us, who reveals himself, who gradually develops ideas with hesitation, silence. Sometimes there are funny and unexpected moments, this is the complete opposite of a programmed, calibrated, expected speech. Edward Louis appears alert and warm in this film as he puts his thoughts first. It suddenly exists before our eyes.
What made you want to be interested in Edward Lowe? Is this an excerpt from ‘Eddie’s Ending with a Note’: ‘I have no happy childhood memories. I don’t want to say that I have never experienced happiness or joy in all these years. Suffering is simply totalitarian: everything that does not enter its system, it disappears.” ?
No, suffering does not particularly appeal to me either as an individual or as a director. I am more sensitive to enthusiasm, hopes, projects related to people’s creative mood. The idea of ”transformation” (which is the theme and title of the film) really appeals to me. It’s an idea of a possible future that you have to choose, promote, and sometimes demand. Edward Louis talks about reinventing himself. I see it as a necessary form of optimism.
Planning to extend your experience with Edward Lewis?
This experience was a movie, that is, a meeting, a common work, a common desire for a limited time. Together we created an object “to see and hear”. The object is now there, complete. Everyone resumes their course.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
