According to Reuters news, France's decision to choose her film "Titane" as an official contender in the Oscar race for Best International Feature Film, director and writer Julia Ducornau, said in an interview with the genre in her country. reflecting the changing attitude towards films.
For information, let us tell you that the film that won the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival was selected to represent France among box office hits and other critically acclaimed films.
"Frankly, I wasn't expecting it. We're not a country that gives a lot of importance to genre films," Ducornau, 38, told Reuters in an interview.
"For many years it was considered serious enough or not valuable enough and there seems to be a growing awareness now that films of the genre talk too deeply about humanity and individuality."
"Titane", DuCournau's second feature film, is a body horror that left audiences shocked and charmed by its violence, a sex act scene between the main character and an old Cadillac car, and themes of gender-bending, grief and love. Is done.
"When you make films like mine, you always have this fear that you will be misunderstood or misspelled…," Ducornau said.
The title refers to the titanium plate placed in the head of the heroine Alexia after a car accident in childhood. The plate attracts her to the metal elements and after working with the car, Alexia becomes pregnant.
After a series of violent outbursts, adult Alexia, played by newcomer Agathe Roussel, meets a firefighter (Vincent Lyndon) who has never recovered from the disappearance of her young son.
Convinced that Alexia is his adult child, he takes her in.
On the sex scene with the car, DuCournau said he is glad it has become a point to talk about and has received a response from the audience.
"As far as the sex act was concerned, I knew I wasn't going to show it in a big way, obviously, and to show that its willingness to overcome the ridiculous clichés that go with a car like this. There was going to be like glitter," she said.
"It's as if the will of the woman will conquer the car, (which is) an extension of a form of toxic masculinity… so I'm very happy with the scene. I really like it." DuCournau's Palme d'Or win is one of several major wins by female filmmakers at festivals and award ceremonies this year.
"This year has proved that we cannot ignore female voices in the arts," Ducornau said.
The shortlist for the International Feature Film category for the 2022 Academy Awards will be announced next Tuesday, with the final nominees revealed on February 8 ahead of the Oscars ceremony in late March.
(Reuters)