Gaspar Noé Considers His Next Move: ‘I’d Like to Do a Movie With Kids, or for Children’

As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the labyrinth of world cinema for decades, I must admit that Gaspar Noé‘s forthcoming projects have piqued my curiosity like no other. The man behind the visceral masterpieces “Irreversible” and “Vortex,” along with his audacious plans to venture into uncharted territories such as documentary, war films, horror, and yes, even children’s movies, promises a cinematic journey that is sure to leave us breathless.


After wrapping up a two-hour masterclass at the Cairo Film Festival, Gaspar Noé discussed potential future genres with EbMaster: “Intriguing film categories that I’d consider for a future project include documentaries, war films, and horror. Perhaps I should attempt to blend these three genres. I also have an interest in creating a movie featuring young children, or even a film intended for children.

The director of “Irreversible” (2002) and “Vortex” (2021), hailing from Argentina, once shared with his packed audience: “Children are essentially miniature adults. As children, we’re vulnerable. We encounter everything around us. I have a deep affection for kids, despite not having any of my own. The bond between adults and children is raw and playful. I’m eager to make a film featuring young actors. Children can understand vulnerability, they grasp the risks they face.

In his conversation, Noé discussed how his mother significantly shaped his movie-making journey. Her profession as a social worker led him to focus on the most disadvantaged segments of society, while her passion for cinema inspired him to watch various films at an early age. At just four years old, he recalled the bone fight scene from “Jason and the Argonauts” (1963), and by six, he had watched “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968). Back then, he was unaware of what a baby was; instead, he inquired about that big thing at the end of the film. The emotional resonance from these experiences would have a profound impact on his entire career, particularly evident in “Enter the Void” (2009), which he referred to as his “Kubrick film.

At a young age, his mother’s preference for edgy movies served as an initial introduction to content that some found provocative: “When I was 10, she took me to watch a Fassbinder film at the cinema in Buenos Aires. I didn’t understand what lesbians were, but I was watching films about them.

Noé adopted a playful approach in art, inherited from his artist father, showcasing this through gimmicks like the on-screen warning during his first feature film “I Stand Alone” in 1998. He drew inspiration from an old movie titled “Homicide,” by William Castle featuring Joan Crawford, which had a title card asking viewers to leave the cinema in 10 seconds. Noé borrowed this idea, later discovering that the Castle film was also good but he utilized it more effectively. Another less apparent influence on his work was Vittorio de Sica’s “Umberto D” (1952).

The 2002 film ‘Irreversible,’ a shocking hit at Cannes, featuring Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, drew inspiration from three sources. The narrative structure, which presents scenes in reverse chronological order, was borrowed from Harold Pinter’s play ‘Betrayal’ (1983). The cinematography style, using a subjective point-of-view camera, can be traced back to the 1947 film noir ‘Lady in the Lake.’ Additionally, elements were taken from Michael Winner’s ‘Death Wish’ (1974).

In light of his films frequently sparking debates due to their intense nature, I inquired if he ever felt remorse over producing certain scenes, or alternatively, if he wished he had pushed boundaries even more. However, he stated that he has no regrets about his past movies. Yet, there were ideas for projects he had once cherished that don’t excite him as much now. He emphasized the importance of starting a film production only when the subject truly captivates you. As the world and one’s life evolve, some movie concepts may lose their appeal, making fresh ideas more appealing instead.

It’s quite possible that this innovative concept could lead to the most astonishing milestone in his professional journey – a children’s film from Gaspar Noé.

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2024-11-18 12:17