The film that Joaquin Phoenix classifies as one of his most challenging

Joaquin Phoenix He has already demonstrated that he is a very versatile actor. In addition to the many different characters he has played, he is known for his habit of improvising on the film set to improve his performance.

Among so many challenging jobs, which was the most difficult for the actor? Phoenix revealed his choice — until that moment — in a 2014 interview with BBC. Obviously, the actor could not name Joker (2019), his most famous role and one that demanded a lot from him, but his catalog already had more than 25 feature films at that point — including Johnny & June (2005), Gladiator (2000), She (2013) and many others.

That said, for Joaquinthe most challenging film of his career so far had been Forbidden Tales of the Marquis de Sade (2000). When explaining, the artist recalled having started work on the film after finishing two other films — Gladiator and Path of No Return (2000) — without pausing.

He said:

Forbidden Tales of the Marquis de Sade was one of my most difficult shoots. I had finished Gladiator, then I took part in the re-recordings of Caminho Sem Volta for a week, returned to London and started rehearsals for Tales. I was exhausted.”

The actor also said that he recorded the most intense scenes of the film in the final weeks. He considered them until he couldn’t finish them.

Still, he found strength thanks to his co-workers. He recalls:

We shot pretty much in order and some of the most intense scenes took place in the last few weeks. During the last three weeks of Contos, I didn’t know if I would be able to finish the day. But when Geoffrey Rush shows up, or Kate Winslet, it inspires you. It’s a joint effort, you need everyone around you.”

Joaquin Phoenix and Forbidden Tales of the Marquis de Sade

Forbidden Tales of the Marquis de Sade explores, in a semi-fictional way, the final years of the life and work of the French writer and politician Marquis de Sade. The film is based on the play of the same name released in 1995.

In addition to Joaquin Phoenixthe film’s cast includes Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet and Michael Caine. The direction is Philip Kaufman.

Forbidden Tales of the Marquis de Sade was received with several positive reviews, recording 75% approval on the Rotten Tomatoes. It also received several award nominations, including three Oscars and two Golden Globes.

Despite this, it had modest box office numbers, almost proportional to the investment. US$18 million was raised, with a budget of US$13.5 million.

Collaborated: Augusto Ikeda.