But all is blown open when Saul (Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion.
Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they fire up the door to the past.
The Match Factory is repping sales.
Michel Franco, Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.Maria Moratti/Getty Images.
After its first screening in Venices Sala Grande, the film received a warm seven-minute ovation.
It turned out to be this film, Memory.
Where did the idea come from for this story?
MICHEL FRANCO:Its hard to know exactly where the ideas come from.
Im trying to make one film a year, so I follow my gut and instincts.
Instead of going to therapy, I make movies.
For this film, I had this idea about these two characters that reunite during a class reunion.
They find each other.
He follows her home.
Shes not happy about that.
I dont know why I had that idea, but it triggered many questions.
And that was the beginning of writing this film.
DEADLINE: Why are you trying to shoot a film every year?
FRANCO:Well, its my job.
One gets better the more you practice.
Also, I just like it.
I enjoy it the more I do it.
I feel more secure, and hopefully, I get better.
I have a hard time understanding filmmakers who stay away from filmmaking for five years.
When you do that, every film becomes an event.
Then it becomes a heavy load for the film and actors.
DEADLINE: Jessica and Peter, how did this film and Michel get to you?
JESSICA CHASTAIN:My agent reached out and asked if I would like to meet Michel.
I was familiar with his work, and she sent me this new script.
I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it.
It was so easy with the two of us.
CHASTAIN:He said theres no makeup; you wont have a trailer.
I was like, great.
Ive never worked like this before.
It made me so happy.
I went to the store and bought clothes for Silvia at Target, and we did fittings.
I felt really like I could find her skin.
It felt incredibly inspiring and exciting.
FRANCO:I reached out to Peter, but I asked Jessica who do you want to work with.
Because I knew that those two actors needed to have a lot of chemistry.
Without that, there was no movie.
PETER SARSGAARD:Michel and I met in New York.
I knew his films and that his process of working would be something that I would enjoy.
Ive never done a film that was shot exactly like this.
But Ive had experiences where the actors are really relied upon.
And Jessica is one of my favorite actors.
I already admired her, but its nice to watch actors grow.
For me, it was just like, yo give me the job.
DEADLINE: Peter, thats an interesting point about Michels narrative methods.
His work requires a lot of physical and emotional work from actors.
How do you maintain that throughout a production?
SARSGAARD:Its easier because what I find difficult is shooting the same scene for three days.
A lot of conventional filmmaking is quite chopped up.
And they can change the whole scene anyway because theyve got all kinds of coverage.
DEADLINE: Did you guys land an interim agreement for this film?
We would not be here without an interim agreement.
So were very proud to be here arm in arm with SAG in support of our film.
She opened my eyes to the fact that AI is going to affect nearly everyone in every profession.
Well, is a doctor a person?
What about a teacher or lawyer?
AI is not just going to be an issue that affects actors.
Its imperative that we win this fight.
Thats going to happen if were not careful.
DEADLINE: What are you all planning to do next?
CHASTAIN:Hopefully, more interim agreement projects.
FRANCO:Ill keep doing my thing, making independent movies.
Films shouldnt be about that.
So Ill keep doing my thing split between Mexico and the States.
SARSGAARD:Im going to be in my wifes next movie when the strike is over.
And thatll be fun.
DEADLINE: I loved the first film you guys made.
Itll be interesting to see what you cook up this time…
SARSGAARD:Its a big meal.
