Claire Denis is, without a doubt, one of the best filmmakers in the world…that most people in the United States know nothing about. Of course, if you read The Playlist, you’re sure to have come across numerous articles about the director, but for the most part, Denis has yet to really have a big impact in the US. Her latest film, “High Life,” will most likely change that.
“High Life” is the first English-language film from Denis and has one of the most high-profile actors in the world, Robert Pattinson, starring. We don’t know much about the upcoming sci-fi film, as of yet, but in a new interview with the New Yorker, Denis opens up about “High Life,” and we hear from some of the actors involved as they describe what it’s like working with the acclaimed filmmaker.
“It’s feminine and masculine,” Denis said of the relationship at the center of “High Life.” “It’s family blood but it’s not the same sex.” The film tells the story of a group of criminals who are sent to find alternative energy in space. At the center of the story is Monte (played by Pattinson) and his daughter Willow (Mia Goth), as they grow and learn more about each other.
It didn’t take long for Denis to sign up Pattinson for the film. According to the interview, she first became aware of the actor (as most of us did) when he was part of the “Twilight” franchise. However, upon meeting him in person, Denis knew instantly that he was going to be in the film. She offered Pattinson the role and described his reaction, “When he said to me, ‘Are you sure?’ I said, ‘It’s already too late. It’s you or nobody else.’”
One of the other big names associated with the project is Andre Benjamin. The actor is perhaps best known as incredibly popular hip-hop artist Andre 3000. His meeting with Denis was equally as strange and interesting. According to the New Yorker, Benjamin, upon meeting Denis, said, “I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know who you are or what you want, but everyone is telling me I have to meet with you and I’ve got to do this film.”
“High Life” also marks the first time in her career that Denis has been working with a large budget, reportedly millions more than she’s ever had before on a project. And with that comes producers trying to make her film friendlier to American audiences. That included the producers trying to eliminate a part of the script where a black convict is killed on the spaceship first, saying that they can’t do that in American films anymore.
For Americans, Denis said, the problem of racism “is buried so deep. For me, it was not deep.” She, of course, didn’t change the scene, instead opting for an additional line of dialogue from Benjamin’s character, where he says, “See? Even in outer space, the black ones are the first to die.”
Denis also comes clean about her own shortcomings, particularly on the set of “High Life,” which was full of new experiences including extensive work on large sets. “I can be the worst person, the meanest person on a set,” she said. “Shouting, screaming, complaining. I don’t have a lot of respect for myself as a director. People accept me the way I am, because they know I’m not faking. Probably.”
There’s no word yet on when we can expect the premiere of Denis’ film. Many are predicting that “High Life” will have its debut at one of the major film festivals in the fall.