Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut ‘The Chronology of Water’ Wins 4-Minute Cannes Ovation

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On Friday evening, Kristen Stewart’s first directorial project, titled “The Chronology of Water,” received a four-minute standing ovation during its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, causing numerous attendees to wipe away tears.

Imogen Poots’ powerful acting was undoubtedly one of the standout aspects in Stewart’s film adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir with the same title, but equally noteworthy was Stewart’s unique directing approach – gritty, artistic, and fearless.

Imogen Poots’ impressive performance was a defining element in Stewart’s movie version of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, but it was Stewart’s bold and creative directing style that also caught the audience’s attention – it was raw, artistic, and uncompromising.

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Imogen Poots delivered a stunning performance in Stewart’s film adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, making it one of the key highlights. However, Stewart’s directing technique – gritty, artistic, and unyielding – was equally impressive, earning praise for its rawness, creativity, and fearlessness.

After much anticipation, my long-awaited passion project finally made its debut at a special screening in the Un Certain Regard section of the festival. This year’s lineup also includes premieres from actors like Scarlett Johansson (“Eleanor the Great”) and Harris Dickinson (“Urchin”).

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My long-awaited passion project, which I’ve been working on for a while, had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the festival this year. Other actors showcasing their work in this section include Scarlett Johansson (“Eleanor the Great”) and Harris Dickinson (“Urchin”).

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My long-awaited passion project was unveiled at a special screening in the Un Certain Regard section of the festival, alongside works from Scarlett Johansson (“Eleanor the Great”) and Harris Dickinson (“Urchin”), who are also making their debuts.

The movie titled ‘The Chronology of Water’ is adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 bestselling memoir of the same name. Imogen Poots portrays the author in Stewart’s unconventional portrayal of her life. This film offers glimpses into Yuknavitch’s earliest memories from the Pacific Northwest, her professional triumphs and setbacks, as well as her tumultuous relationships. Moreover, Stewart not only directed but also co-wrote the screenplay with Andy Mingo.

For many years, Stewart has deeply cherished the idea of making “The Chronology of Water,” a project she initially shared as in progress back in 2018. In an interview with EbMaster magazine in January 2024, she disclosed her financial challenges in bringing this movie to life and stated that she wouldn’t take on another role until this film was completed. However, by the summer of 2024, she successfully secured funding and filmed the movie for six weeks across Latvia and Malta. Alongside Stewart, Thora Birch, Earl Cave, Michael Epp, Susannah Flood, Kim Gordon, and Jim Belushi make up the talented cast.

Talking to EbMaster, Stewart openly discussed her difficulties in securing funding for the film. She admitted that it had been almost impossible to gather funds for a movie that was an entirely new concept, rather than one derived from a well-established genre or intellectual property.

Stewart proposed the idea that there might exist a previously untold, feminine language. She suggested that the kind of movie she envisions making possesses a unique physicality which could appear off-putting to typical buyers, but in practice, is profoundly moving. This concept has been difficult to market because it’s not about the storyline, but rather the portrayal of a character who has suppressed their voice throughout their life and the reasons behind this self-silencing.

In April, I managed to connect with Stewart as speculations swirled about the release of her film at Cannes. The director shared that they were working tirelessly on post-production to meet the festival’s deadline.

She expressed that the current situation revolves around timing for the movie. The film is similar to a coronation, she mentioned. Many admired filmmakers have struggled to meet the deadline for the Cannes Film Festival, and she’s uncertain if she will make it too. However, the movie seems to be taking shape in such a way that feels incredibly close, providing a sense of relief. It’s been quite a laborious process, she added, comparing it to giving birth.

“The Chronology of Water” is seeking distribution out of Cannes.

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2025-05-17 02:18