4 Groundbreaking Moments That Prove The Substance Deserves An Oscar For Fargeat

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SPOILER ALERT: The following discussion delves into some pivotal scenes from the film “The Substance.” If you haven’t watched it yet but are finding it hard to resist the urge, read on at your own risk.

In a more personal tone:

SPOILER ALERT: Here’s a deep dive into some significant plot points from “The Substance.” If you’ve been eagerly waiting to catch this movie but haven’t had the chance yet, tread carefully if you don’t want any spoilers.

Absolutely, I can’t stress enough that if you’re a fan of the outstanding 2024 movie, The Substance (which I believe is the best film of that year), you should definitely check out the behind-the-scenes video that Mubi has made available online. This video not only deepened my admiration for this chilling instant classic horror movie, which stars Demi Moore as a fading Hollywood star who creates a younger version of herself using an ominous black market drug (portrayed by Margaret Qualley), but it also increased my respect for the film’s writer and director, Coralie Fargeat.

Apart from my recent criticism of the Golden Globes ignoring “Hundreds of Beavers,” I usually don’t get too worked up about awards season. But if the Academy fails to recognize the French filmmaker for Best Director after watching “The Substance,” I will certainly be disappointed. Here are a few behind-the-scenes highlights from the YouTube video that strongly support her deserving this recognition:

1. The meticulous planning and execution of the film’s intricate action sequences, showcasing Fargeat’s exceptional directing skills.
2. Her dedication to empowering female characters and promoting gender equality in the film industry.
3. The remarkable collaboration between Fargeat and her cast and crew, resulting in a cohesive and powerful cinematic experience.

Coralie Fargeat Discusses Designing The Look Of The Substance

In 2018, Coralie Fargeat, a rising talent in horror directing, introduced her first feature film titled “Revenge“, which left me impressed with its unique visual style. Interestingly, for her upcoming film “The Substance“, she planned the visual aesthetic well ahead of time by detailing each scene’s look extensively in the script, almost down to every frame. This level of pre-planning suggests a director with a keen eye and masterful command over their craft.

Coralie Fargeat Champions Practical Effects

Similar to numerous film enthusiasts today, I lean towards real-world special effects rather than CGI, and it’s refreshing to learn that Fargeat shares this preference. In an interview, she mentioned her intentional use of practical effects throughout the production to make the horror movie feel genuine. She devised clever cost-effective strategies for creating some of the most gruesome scenes, ensuring that any body parts required on camera were considered when constructing a fake body double. While I’m unsure if budget consciousness is a factor in Academy voting, such meticulous attention to detail should be recognized.

Coralie Fargeat’s Boldly Hands-On Approach To The Production

In contrast to the usual sedentary nature of a director’s role during production, Coralie Fargeat appeared to disregard tradition by immersing herself deeply into The Substance. The behind-the-scenes footage reveals her taking on tasks normally handled by crew members (like creating prosthetics), executing stunts (taking a hit to the face with a fake vase and standing in for Sue during the injection of the Activator serum), and even directing the gushing hose that spews blood for the terrifying New Year’s Eve sequence. Her hands-on approach seems genuinely enjoyable, an attitude I believe any filmmaker would find motivating.

Coralie Fargeat Dons A Camera Helmet

In my perspective, Fargeat pushes the boundaries of interactive storytelling with methods that I can only imagine were quite uncomfortable yet indispensable. For instance, when Sue finds her ear has fallen off in an elevator, the director donned a helmet outfitted with a camera to record the most authentic first-person shots achievable. What a brilliant approach to ensure the camera captures precisely what my vision required!

Though the Academy seldom shows favoritism towards the horror genre (apart from a handful of Oscar-winning acting performances in terror films and awarding Best Picture to The Silence of the Lambs), I fervently wish Coralie Fargeat will be the next female nominee for the Best Director Oscar. For Academy members, I suggest you watch the behind-the-scenes video for The Substance. Even if horror films like this don’t typically appeal to you, you might find yourself supporting Fargeat, as well.

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2025-01-20 00:07