WWTW Interview: ‘I’ve Loved You So Long’ director Philippe Claudel - Part 2

Philippe Claudel is better known in some circles for his novels (“By a Small River,” “Grey Souls”) than his film work.

But when it came time to tell the story of a broken women trying to start her life anew, Claudel understood which medium would work best.

“The story of Juliette, for me, was impossible to write a novel with that. I wanted to work without words,” Claudel says of “I’ve Loved You So Long,” his newest film.

The French artist - he also paints and teaches writing at a university - had written screenplays before but felt ready to direct.

“It’s a very personal story, not autobiographical, but I’m very close to all the characters in the movie,“ he says. “It was impossible to give this story to another director.”

“I’ve Loved You So Long” deals with a character who spent more than a decade in prison, but we never see the cell where she stayed or her fellow inmates. It’s hardly an accident.

“It’s very difficult to tell stories about prison - many clichés,” he says. “In this movie, I was very happy to talk about prison but never in this movie do you see the prison. It’s more powerful.”

Working with star Kristin Scott Thomas meant both actor and director were open toward improvisation.

“I gave her total freedom for the first take in each scene,” he says, and then he took over after that. The final version emerged in the editing room. “Sometimes Kristin’s first take was perfect, just what I wanted.”

He wouldn’t work any other way.

“The creative process is like an adventure,” he says.

“I’ve Loved You So Long” hardly seems like the right kind of film release for the ho-ho-holiday season. But Claudel, like his film, comes brimming with optimism.

“I like to explore the tragic dimension of her life, but we have open space for the hope, for the light, for the rebirth,” he says. “I wanted to show its possible to have a second chance. It’s important for me to begin this story with a very tragic and dark atmosphere and very slowly go into the light.”

ALSO CHECK OUT:

Part 1 of WWTW’s chat with Philippe Claudel

(Photo: Elsa Zylberstein and Kristin Scott Thomas play sisters reunited after 15 years in “I’ve Loved You So Long.”)