Canadian director Xavier Dolan has recently disclosed that he is currently in the process of writing a period horror film set in 1880s France. This new project, if everything falls into place, will mark Dolan’s return to the big screen since the release of Matthias & Maxime back in 2019. In a recent interview with the Canadian cinema Sans Filtre podcast, Dolan shared some insights into his upcoming movie endeavor.
During the podcast episode, Dolan delved into the personal impact that negative reviews had on him following the premiere of his sixth feature, It’s Only the End of the World, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. Despite facing criticism at the time, Dolan remained resilient and believed in the power of his storytelling. This experience appears to have seeped into his creative process, as he mentioned, “It feels removed from my life and what I know, but on re-reading it, I understood that it is a film about the fear of failure, the fear of being rejected, of being misunderstood, the difficulty of creating.”
Xavier Dolan seems to be drawn towards exploring themes of fear, rejection, and creativity in his new horror movie project. Even though the setting of the film is unfamiliar to him, he finds it to be an exciting challenge. He expressed, “Unconsciously, I’ve returned to the same themes, in a period that I don’t know, but which appeals to me and in a style which appeals to me, but with a completely different proposition. I feel that I can surpass myself, learn and grow with themes that are dear to me but in the horror genre.”
Since the release of Matthias & Maxime, Dolan has kept busy with various projects, including the short film Happy Diamonds, music video Adele: Easy On Me, and the 2022 TV mini-series The Night Logan Woke Up, which he also wrote during the pandemic. Additionally, Dolan has returned to the acting scene with roles in Xavier Dolan’s Lost Illusions and Bertrand Bonello’s The Beast.
As Dolan delves into the pre-production phase of his upcoming horror film, he acknowledges the financial challenges that come with the genre. He mentioned, “It’s going to cost a lot. You’ve got the costumes, the lighting,” highlighting the elaborate nature of the production. Dolan plans to shoot the film on location in and around the Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy as well as in the studio.
In addition to his film projects, Xavier Dolan is also gearing up for the publication of a book titled ‘A Friendship Through Film,’ which celebrates the 10th anniversary of his film Mommy. The book will feature unseen images from the Mommy shoot captured by photographer Shayne Laverdière, showcasing the behind-the-scenes journey of the acclaimed film’s Cannes debut in 2014.
Overall, Xavier Dolan’s venture into the horror genre with a period setting reflects his continuous evolution as a filmmaker and storyteller. With a blend of personal experiences and artistic exploration, Dolan’s upcoming project promises to be a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic endeavor.