As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for emerging talent, I find it truly inspiring to witness the journey of these young filmmakers, Joe Weiland and Sam Constantine, as they navigate through the complex world of cinema. Having Sienna Miller and Cate Blanchett on board for their short film “Marion” is not just a testament to their creative vision but also a nod to their potential as storytellers.
In the words of Sienna Miller, Cate Blanchett was “completely amazed” by the short film “Marion” directed by Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine.
Following its debut at Venice, the 13-minute film is now playing at its second international showing for the Toronto International Film Festival. This has left Weiland and Constantine beaming with joy, as they are now referred to as the happiest boys on earth. Similarly, executive producers Blanchett and Miller are overjoyed by this development, recognizing great potential in these two talented Brits.
As a fan, I’m captivated by the true-life story of Caroline Noguès-Larbère, a Frenchwoman who dares to leap from the heights of charging bulls. Balancing the rough handling she endures from men in her sphere and the multifaceted challenges of motherhood, she grapples with her own identity as a woman. This extraordinary woman had no acting experience prior to my encounter with her, doesn’t speak English fluently, yet Weiland and Constantine saw potential in her on-camera presence. The result is an emotionally charged short film that puts the spotlight on this ancient custom, performed fearlessly by Noguès-Larbère – France’s solitary female bull-jumper.
In their conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Miller, Weiland, and Constantine discuss plans to extend Marion into a full-length film and submit it for consideration in the 2025 Oscars. Additionally, Miller shares her personal experiences as an actor and mother that make her believe Marion is a must-see short film.
Congratulations on your film. Where did Marion come from?
Initially, we stumbled upon this unique sport and were captivated by it – the contrast between traditional bull-fighting and modern bull-jumping, as it’s more like a dance and an acrobatic performance. As we delved deeper into the sport, we uncovered Caroline’s narrative. It was essentially an article that shared her perspective: “I don’t confront the bulls, I challenge the men.” This intriguing thought sparked our imagination to structure her story around it.
We penned a script from two articles we’d come across about her, and relocated to France primarily to see it produced. In Paris, we encountered someone who essentially guided us to Caroline’s residence. Within a week, we were on our way by train with the script translated into French. Upon arriving at her farm, she probably wondered, “Who are these unexpected Englishmen?”, but we arrived with the translated script, which she read aloud in our presence. Her response was, “You’ve encapsulated my entire journey.” It was a truly moving moment for us, and also provided some reassurance. Then, turning to her, we expressed our desire, “We would be delighted if you could play the lead role.
It’s incredibly impressive, showing a lack of apprehension on your part as filmmakers. Two British individuals ventured into France armed with a translated screenplay. I guess taking such a step must have been quite challenging. You researched bull-jumping and simply went ahead and did it.
Constantine: It was challenging for us, as we were two English lads unfamiliar with this French sport. Regardless of the extensive research and obstacles we had to overcome, which are crucial, teamwork helped us persevere through those tough times. We encountered numerous daunting situations in meetings where communication was difficult, and it was unclear whether we were making progress or not. It was challenging at times to see the end goal.
Fundamentally, for any filmmaker, creating a movie beyond their usual comfort zone and the story is like the North Star… We were attracted to the story. The story could only be told in that specific location, which drew us there.
Was hiring Caroline primarily for safety reasons, given her expertise as a real-life bull jumper, or was it because you were captivated by her compelling narrative and believed she was the ideal candidate? Or perhaps it was a blend of both factors?
Constantine: Honestly speaking, it was more about her, truly. Her charm, her narrative, and her unique self captivated us so much that there seemed no other choice but for her to portray herself. Additionally, from a technical perspective, no one else could match her abilities. We aimed to capture this authenticity as accurately as possible. Combining these factors made perfect sense. Given that she is the main character and the story revolves around her, it was crucial for us that she played herself.
How was that experience filming it? That must have been a cool day.
In the live performance, the final scene from the movie, where she walks onto the stadiums, is genuine. This was filmed using six cameras within the actual arena, allowing us to capture different perspectives as if it were a live broadcast, while maintaining our film’s theme. For the other half of the movie, we developed a unique bond with her since she doesn’t speak English and our French skills are limited. So, communication became more about movement, and as time passed, she began to understand English phrases, leading to our own unspoken language by the end.
Constantine: It felt almost as if communication was instinctive. I understand this term might seem quite fanciful, but let me explain; while on set, Caroline, who had no prior acting experience, was also new to this environment. She’s only posed for photographs due to her sport, nothing of this magnitude. So, it was undeniably a nerve-wracking situation for her. To ensure we provided a comfortable space for her, we aimed to make the set as secluded as feasible. This is one of the reasons we chose to film rather than rely on digital cameras, eliminating large HD screens that might make her self-conscious. It was minute details like these that helped create an atmosphere where she could truly be herself.
Tell me about the main themes you were trying to spotlight: misogyny, motherhood, femininity.
Constantine: Initially, the main theme revolved around a woman navigating through a male-dominated society and dealing with misogyny, reflecting her personal experiences. As the script progressed, we introduced the character of a child, which led to the exploration of motherhood and its connection to the initial theme. The story evolved from its original idea into something more complex.
A key theme and emotion portrayed in this movie is perseverance and tenacity, particularly for a mother pursuing her passions despite the costs. During the scriptwriting process, discussions with our own mothers were frequent as they could relate to these themes. Ultimately, Caroline’s resilience served as the driving force behind the film.
Sienna, what attracted you to this film?
Speaker: Indeed, I was the executive producer for Joe’s initial short film titled “Gorka,” which earned a BAFTA nomination, and I had been well-acquainted with Finn’s work as an artist. Given these circumstances, it seemed like a logical step to become involved. At this stage, I am keen on fostering new talent and producing projects. While I have no claim to the film’s creativity or plot, I was thrilled at the opportunity to be a part of it. Upon viewing several edits, I felt incredibly fortunate to be even a minor contributor. I believe they have managed something quite challenging – it excels in all aspects one would anticipate from a full-length feature film, condensed into approximately 13 minutes. I wanted to embark on this creative adventure with them.
Could you share your thoughts on the topics we’ve been discussing? Specifically, the depiction of motherhood and misogyny in Caroline’s work – did these resonate with your experiences or observations?
In simpler terms, Miller believes that many working mothers can identify with the challenges of juggling work and family life, experiences that are often unique to women. He frequently encounters these difficulties when negotiating contracts for travel, which can be particularly demanding when children are involved. This aspect of the negotiations is not typically a concern for men.
I believe you can appreciate her bravery and self-respect, which is truly heart-stirring. Sadly, she’s been positioned to fail by the individuals she’s working with on this team. It’s tragic. At first, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. Clearly, it’s a stark contrast to what we knew from Gorka. They’ve chosen to create a French film instead. These are two English lads I’m acquainted with, and I was left speechless by it. I find it an exceptional work of art.
Hey Joe and Finn! I’m curious, what was the process like in securing both Sienna Miller and Cate Blanchett for the movie “Marion”? And could you tell me how crucial their participation was for the film’s success?
Working with Sienna and Cate has been an incredible honor for us. We feel incredibly secure and creatively in sync. It’s been a delightful experience, especially during the script development phase, discussing ideas with Sienna and gaining her perspective. Every edit and cut has been a true blessing to us.
Constantine: It’s simply incredible for us, who are just starting out, to have these two exceptional actors as mentors. Being able to consult them about our work and ask questions like “What do you think of this edit?” is like hitting a goldmine. Needless to say, we’re over the moon with joy.
As a gamer, I can’t help but feel thrilled when someone as amazing as Cate shows interest in our project. She didn’t have to, but she graciously offered to contribute and spread the word about it. This speaks volumes about the impact of our film – it left her speechless!
Are there any hopes for a full feature-length version of Marion one day?
Yes, our plan is to develop it into a full-length film. The overwhelming response we’ve received from viewers of the movie is, “I want to learn more about her, her tale, and the reasons behind it” along with a broader understanding. This enthusiasm has fueled us to expand this project, as we genuinely believe it offers an intriguing world to delve into. Structurally, a feature film seems fitting for this story. In fact, discussions about this expansion are already in progress, and we’re thrilled about the possibility of using the short film as a stepping stone.
As a passionate gamer, let me share my thoughts: Initially, it wasn’t the plan to create a grand, expansive game. Instead, they aimed to develop a captivating demo, and boy, did they nail it! Expanding this into a full-fledged game was always a possibility, but never the primary goal. I understand that in the world of demos, there can be a certain level of skepticism about expanding an idea. If your concept lends itself to a more extended playtime, by all means, go for it! However, our initial focus was purely on crafting this engaging demo, not on designing a full game right off the bat.
What place do short films have in the industry at the moment? What can they do for cinema?
As a film enthusiast, it’s refreshing to interact with fellow creators who are leveraging short films as stepping stones in their careers. However, I must admit, it’s no walk in the park. In such a concise format, we’re tasked with encapsulating a powerful emotion or intriguing concept that resonates quickly.
Constantine: There’s a format available that can be showcased in Venice or Toronto, allowing you to essentially say, “Here I am, this is my dream, here’s a sneak peek of 10 minutes from my idea. Let me know if you like it.” On a broader note, I believe shorts have a significant role in the industry and they should receive more recognition than they currently do. After all, where else would studios and others discover new talent if not through short films?
Miller: Everything they said is absolutely true. Obviously, the fact that this film has got into Venice and Toronto and many other festivals is a testament to their film. The spotlight that’s being shone on these two filmmakers that are beginning their career, the fact that we’re doing an interview with you, it all helps build towards the career and film that they want to have. And I think shorts are an incredible medium. I know that there are people that really watch them… But most importantly, I think it is the perfect springboard for launching a career and at least demonstrating what talent that you have.
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2024-09-13 19:56