EXCLUSIVE: The success ofAudrey Diwans sophomore featureHappeningmade her next gig as a filmmaker an intriguing one.
Her choice of project, created even more intrigue.
Diwans adaptation deviates from that earlier movie and from the source material.
Audrey DiwanStephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
We confirmed casting and production details about the movie this morninghere, including a first-look imageof star Noemie Merlant.
DEADLINE:Thanks for speaking to us as you wrap production.
How was the filming process on Emmanuelle and what can you tell us about the movie?
Pathé
AUDREY DIWAN: It has been fascinating.
It has been a huge amount of work.
I give a shot to tell the movie through Emmanuelles sensations.
Each sequence is like an exploration.
Winning the Golden Lion gave me the freedom to try something quite different and to explore.
That was where the motivation for this movie came from.
I havent seen the whole of the original movie.
I wasnt born when it came out.
I discovered the story through the book.
DEADLINE:How much of a challenge was it to capture that experience on camera?
DIWAN: I was afraid.
But thats a good reason to do something.
When I feel fear and desire, I trust that Im in the right place.
Thats where creation often begins.
Eroticism makes you the subject.
Its easy to see the poetry.
I had a very strong relationship with Noemie Merlant who is in virtually every frame of the movie.
DEADLINE:How do you refer to this movie in relation to Just Jaeckins 1974 movie?
I wanted to be as free as possible.
This film explores the movement from rigid order to freedom, and something cold to something warmer.
The biggest omission from pornography is the aspect of human relationships.
Eroticism exists in the mind as much as it does in the body.
It is fuelled by a gaze, a look, a brief interaction…
DEADLINE:Did you have an intimacy co-ordinator on set?
I wanted to be precise and for everyone to feel comfortable.
That said, there were times I called on an intimacy co-ordinator during the shoot.
We spent a long time talking about it with the actors, both the female and male actors.
DEADLINE:What can you say about your plot?
DIWAN: I can say its about a girl who is trying to get back to pleasure.
For some reason, that sentence hit home with me.
I wanted to interrogate that notion of the world turning dry for someone.
DEADLINE:Do you anticipate future restrictions on how this movie is shown in cinemas?
DIWAN: Its funny how we relate pleasure to organs.
But its not about filming a part of the body.
Im not trying to capture pornography.
I didnt feel any restrictions because I wasnt looking in that place.
DEADLINE:Could we see this movie at Cannes or Venice?
Something similar happened to your film Happening.
Do you have any thoughts about Frances Oscar selection process?
DIWAN: I know they tried to change the formula afterHappening.
But it also speaks to France having a number of movies that have Oscar potential, which is good.
I thinkAnatomy Of A Fallcan still get Oscar recognition even if it isnt Frances official entry.
I was blown away by the screening in Cannes.
I saw Justine the next day and told her I thought it was an instant classic.
DEADLINE:Are you committed to another project yet?
DIWAN: I have two things in mind.
