Annecy fundamental comoetition contender “Dying Does Not Exist” is a political movie. And Quebec director Félix Dufour-Laperrière isn’t afraid to confess it.
“There’s urgency to redistribute wealth. There’s urgency to maintain this world respectable. I’m a father of two: a middle-class white man with a good looking household, and considered one of my deepest wishes is that my children develop up in a livable world. However, there’s a reputable anger concerning the state of the world that must be addressed. Mine and yours, and clearly our American neighbors,” he tells Selection about his newest animated function.
“The movie comes from all these contradictions. It’s essential to maintain what you like, however it’s not enough when now we have a collective duty towards the world. It’s a tragic story about violence, but in addition about dedication, convictions, loyalty and connections.”
In “Dying Does Not Exist” – which premiered in Cannes Administrators’ Fortnight – an idealistic woman, Hélène, flees to the forest after a botched armed assault on an uber-wealthy household. Her comrades are gone, however visions of considered one of them, Manon, proceed to hang-out her. Similar to her private and political decisions.
“I needed to give attention to her paradoxical loyalty in the direction of her ethical beliefs, friendship and love. And to point out direct penalties of violence: for individuals who endure from it and for individuals who commit it,” notes Dufour-Laperrière.
As Hélène ventures deeper and deeper into wild nature, not not like Tarkovsky’s “The Zone” – “Stalker’ is considered one of my fetish movies” – she makes a “Faustian pact” with Manon.
“It’s very dense initially and really dense on the finish, and there’s a extra reflexive second within the center. In my eyes, there’s a actuality to it even when it’s dreamlike. They witness their wishes coming to life. Aware ones, like political and social upheavals, but in addition unconscious need of beginning one thing new.”
He provides: “Within the realm of animation, all the things is actual.”
“It has been mentioned earlier than: type IS political. The best way you have a look at issues and other people, it’s political. A nonetheless drawing works, however it’s apparent: a transferring picture is unstable and evolving. I like the concept in animation, you possibly can embody ideas and emotions, however it’s all in motion. You may solely grasp part of it.”
His protagonist, whereas not precisely your normal hero and fueled by “tragic braveness,” will get to confront a few of the folks she’s been rallying in opposition to.
“Visually, they share the identical context, the identical coloration. However in addition they share some truths. I’ve combined emotions in the direction of what these children are doing, however it says one thing about their convictions and their beliefs. I’m actually not encouraging acts of violence or excusing them, however violence exists. Additionally, the phrase is being confiscated – by a minority. And those that get their half confiscated can’t simply let it go.”
At first, his movie was a lot darker.
“It was a really, very fatalistic story. Later, I attempted to open it up a bit to present extra space to life, connections. I did attempt to be trustworthy with my very own experiences and beliefs whereas writing it. I’m a pessimistic man, however I like life,” he admits.
In 2021, Dufour-Laperrière was awarded at Annecy for “Archipelago.” However with its political aptitude, “Dying Does Not Exist” wasn’t precisely a simple promote.
“We’re fortunate to have fairly sturdy public funding in Quebec and Canada. And as soon as it’s funded, we go all in. That’s the rationale why I produced it myself, with my brother Nicolas [for Embuscade Films]. To personal the manufacturing means to place all the cash on display screen.”
Emmanuel-Alain Raynal (Miyu Productions) and Pierre Baussaron (Miyu Distribution) are additionally on board, alongside Finest Pal Eternally and UFO Distribution.
“With our companions, everyone knows that we gained’t get wealthy promoting this movie. However will probably be a enjoyable trip.”
Enjoyable and severe, he underlines.
“In grownup animation, we’re all adults – we should always have the ability to discuss concerning the world and the issues that transfer us. Being an grownup can be about making an attempt to call the depth of our shared expertise and movies, in my opinion, ought to do this as nicely. When my children ask why I make them, I say: ‘It’s a strategy to reside my life.’ It’s a good looking method,” he says.
“With out desirous to sound pretentious, for me, artwork is a severe matter.”