I Wasn’t Expecting Kristen Stewart To Compare Her Directorial Debut To An Orgasm, But She Has A Solid Point To Make

by

Kristen Stewart, known for her roles in LGBTQ+ films, recently made her directorial debut with “The Chronology Of Water,” a movie based on the 2011 memoir of bisexual author Lidia Yuknavitch. Stewart has long been discussing this project, and as it receives positive feedback, it’s surprising to hear her compare the film to an orgasm. However, that’s exactly what she did in a recent interview.

The Chronology of Water premiered at the glitzy Cannes Film Festival, where Kristen Stewart walked the red carpet in a gorgeous pink getup. The multi hyphenate seems quite proud of her film but, like me, some people may initially be surprised how she described it. When she spoke to Vulture about the making of the movie, here’s exactly what she said:

As a film critic, I must confess it was quite an uphill battle to persuade fellow cinephiles that this movie was worth their precious time. The reason? It defied the conventional three-act structure we’ve all come to expect, which can be rather frustrating. One might even say, “Isn’t this where we’re supposed to feel a sense of satisfaction and relief? Why on earth did you make me journey through Dante’s Inferno?” It’s as if the filmmaker was daring to replicate the build-up of a female orgasm – “Almost there, almost there, just a little more… hang in there with me!”

The movie isn’t overly lengthy; it clocks in at two hours and eight minutes. However, its captivating end credits sequence is a must-see until the very last frame, serving as the final chapter to this cinematic journey.

In other words, just like an orgasmic build-up, Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut doesn’t follow a conventional narrative structure but instead gradually escalates towards a climactic end. It took her years to bring this deeply personal project to life, with the extended production time being partly attributed to the film’s unique content.

Although it’s a thought-provoking film, it’s important to acknowledge its gravity. It’s crucial for us to engage fully and deeply with the content. I didn’t feel compelled to simplify the experience into a manageable 90-minute format just to make it easier for the audience. It’s refreshing when you find yourself questioning, ‘Is this necessary? Why are we still doing this?’ In fact, I embody that question myself as I have ‘Why’ tattooed on my upper arm.

Stewart spoke about this concept following a question regarding an unwritten “feminine grammar of cinema.” In her discourse, she highlighted ongoing challenges for female directors as they pursue their cinematic aspirations, free from unnecessary discussion. One such challenge is the prevalent male perspective, often seen in films throughout the last century. It’s inspiring to listen to a director reflect deeply on their work while acknowledging the hurdles encountered during production.

The Chronology of Water narrates the life story of Lidia Yuknavitch, who escaped an abusive household with a college swimming scholarship. Imogen Poots portrays Yuknavitch, whose struggle with substance abuse and alcohol addiction leads to the loss of her scholarship. After relocating to Oregon for a fresh start, she continues her battle with addiction. Concurrently, Yuknavtich delves into her bisexuality and discovers an interest in S&M in the Pacific Northwest. Later in life, she finds stability when she meets her future spouse.

Kristen Stewart disclosed that she’s been working on the movie script for approximately eight years. However, during this period, she encountered several setbacks such as losing financing (on “ten occasions”), key personnel, and other challenges. Over time, Stewart found herself frequently revisiting the script to make improvements, as her own life experiences provided fresh perspectives that reshaped her view of it.

It’s fantastic news that Stewart has directed her first film at last, just weeks after her wedding. Stewart’s unconventional analogy comparing orgasm to her film will stay with me, and though it might seem unusual, it makes sense given the intensity she puts into her work. As of now, The Chronology of Water has not been scheduled for release in 2025, and a distributor has yet to acquire it.

Read More

2025-05-22 02:07