Venice: Florian Zeller on mental health care in “The Son” and Hugh Jackman’s personal request to star

Few enjoy the kind of directorial debut that Florian Zeller experienced. Dad. The 2020 drama, based on its own critically acclaimed play about dementia and astutely dragging audiences into an immersive labyrinth of disorientation and confusion, was a huge critical and commercial success. The film also became an awards season favorite, with Zeller and co-writer Christopher Hampton winning Best Adapted Screenplay and Anthony Hopkins winning Best Actor at both Oscars and BAFTAs.

Two years have passed and the Parisian is ready to debut his second season. Adapted from another of his works, son This time around, the depression theme centers on 17-year-old Nicholas, an extraordinary twist in newcomer Zane McGrath, whose growing struggles with mental health begin to affect the lives of his parents, especially his New York lawyer father. emotional pen from Hugh Jackman’s performance). Does your divorce from your loving ex-wife (Laura Dern) and new partner (Vanessa Kirby) have a newborn? Although Nicholas makes the accusations, the film, shot primarily in London, isn’t about finger-pointing (or even trying to point fingers) and simply deals with the devastating consequences.

Talk to the hollywood reporter In front of sonAt the world premiere in Venice, Zeller talks about the need to share the emotional pain of her parents’ helplessness, struggling with herself to tell a story much simpler than one of hardship. Dad, and how Jackman humbly returned to the role. It also describes how he cast his young lead star for Zoom, but didn’t meet McGrath in person until three days before filming.

When you wrote the original play Dad, about dementia, you said that it came from your own experience with your grandmother. does son Does it also come from personal experience?

Yes, it comes from a personal place. It’s not my story in terms of characters or situations, but it has to do with my emotions. So it’s not because I wanted to tell my story, it’s more because I felt like a lot of people could relate to that kind of thing and I thought it would make sense to share those emotions. just like together DadWhen we played on stage, people would wait for us after each performance to share our experiences. And I was surprised to connect with the truth, which is that a lot of people understand what’s going on with this story. Maybe because it’s about what it means to be a parent, and sometimes you have to admit you’re powerless. It’s part of the parenting experience. And sometimes love isn’t enough and it’s a real pain to accept. So it was about sharing those emotions rather than telling my own story. But it’s true that it came from a personal place, which is why it was so important for me to tell this story and not another. I couldn’t do any other movie except this movie.

son He doesn’t focus on the cause of depression, but treats it like a monster. What was behind that decision?

Because I think it’s part of the mental health issue, it’s like a mystery. You won’t know exactly why you’re there. It may seem unfair because there is no clear explanation and to some extent no one is to blame. But as we are human, we feel guilty. Sure, we mentioned there was a divorce, but my plan was absolutely not to tell a story about what can happen if you get divorced, because I don’t think so. But we try to find explanations for what we experience, especially for mental health. And from the child’s point of view, he doesn’t understand why he has this pain, so there has to be an explanation, and the easiest way to understand that is from his parents. This is what we do. And the father deals with his own guilt, he thinks everything is his fault. And that’s why he’s almost like a tragic character.

Most directors don’t have the success with their first movie that you had Dad. This put extra pressure on you. son? Do you feel the greater weight of expectation?

I must say yes, but it’s not true. Anyway, I didn’t feel any pressure during filming because, as I said, I knew exactly that this was the movie I wanted to make. And he knew why he wanted to do it and how he wanted to do it. So I didn’t really read what people expected of me. But now it’s going to be published, but I’m starting to think, “Oh, I understand your question.”

Why Dad It unfolded like an unsolvable puzzle that only became apparent at the end when I started looking for son, I just assumed that you had created a puzzle within the story, or that you were going to play with me in some way. Was that even a consideration?

Most of my work takes place in a labyrinth, but this is the only one that isn’t. son. It’s very direct, very linear. My instinct is always to build more complex narratives, but in doing so, I remember that I had to control myself to dare, in a way, to be direct. Because I knew that for audiences to really buy into the final scene and make it as powerful as possible, they needed to believe that every moment in the movie was real.

How easy was it to find your son and how did you find Zen McGrath?

I saw a lot of young actors on Zoom because you couldn’t meet people back then. And it was a very exciting process: I knew that somewhere there was someone who was going to be this character and it was going to be an important journey for all of us. But as soon as I saw Zen, it was clear that I wanted to play Nicholas. This is very subjective and intuitive and very difficult to do in Zoom. And to make it even more difficult for him, he was in Australia. But he knew he was right. I felt a strong vulnerability, sensitivity and ability to overcome these emotions. But we met for the first time in person a few days before filming.

Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Nicholas’ father was particularly good for the cast. How did this happen?

It happened very clearly. I was starting the process and talking to the agents, and he wrote me. It was very special, at least for me. he said he saw Dad and performance son And I heard he was working on the adaptation and if I’ve already talked to anyone then that’s fine and please forgive me for the letter, but if not, please give him 15 minutes so he understands why he should do this one. part. I was very surprised by his humility and honesty. So we met on Zoom and 15 minutes later it was really amazing because I really felt like he was that kind of character. He didn’t lie to me or try to act, he just talked to me and was himself and I felt all the elements I needed. He is a very special person, quite extraordinary. And I’m not saying this out of politeness.

And without giving anything away, Anthony Hopkins is his Oscar-winning father. Dad – He has a small but great scene where he plays a pretty brilliant scoundrel. Is it your lucky charm?

In fact, he was the first person to read the script. As soon as I was done, I sent it because I respect your sensitivity so much. And sure enough, he noticed that the character’s name was Anthony. And the funny thing is, it’s actually the opposite part Dad. In this he has complete control.

for that son He also brought in See-Saw Films as producers. Obviously, they’re prestigious tastemakers with incredible experience, but what did they bring to the film?

I met Iain Canning, also on Zoom, and we got along really well. I love his movies. He also made several films in New York as a British producer – the main one I’m talking about is How embarrassing, which I respected a lot, so I thought you would help me do this translation. While I didn’t want to tell an American story, I wanted it to relate to American reality. Especially when it comes to psychiatry, for example, each country works differently. So he was very helpful in the process. But it was also great to work with a producer who made films that you admire so much.

whereas you left fast Dad This one sonAre we to assume that you and Christopher Hampton are busy adapting the third piece in your trilogy? Mother?

No, I’m not. up until. I’m still logging in son, honestly. But it is true that it is related Dad s son. That came to mind.