This week’s Staff Pick Premiere from writer and director Marie Davignon is a surprising drama that we haven’t been able to get out of our heads. Premiering at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, “GIRLFRIENDS” tells the punk-rock tale of three teenage friends reuniting.
With compelling performances, writing and direction, Davignon creates a dynamic world that perfectly captures the feeling of teenage insecurity as the friends take a trip to a remote cottage and a twisted rivalry within the group begins to form.
In speaking with Davignon, we learned about what it takes to capture this story in a remote shooting location that was only accessible by boat. Read below for more details, and check out “GIRLFRIENDS” right here on Vimeo.
On finding inspiration after the birth of her child:
“The short film GIRLFRIENDS, results from a nostalgia of my adolescence and the early 2000s. The idea was formed shortly after I gave birth to my first child, unequivocally signing the end of my reckless years. Inhabited by the mourning of my youth, but more assumed than ever as a woman, I wanted to make a film that would not only echo my memories as a teenager, but also show some inner changes that we experience at this stage of life. With a love-triangle relationship between the three friends, I depicted the thin line between love and friendship that can be experienced at this age of sexual discoveries.”
On creating strong female female roles in cinema:
“With GIRLFRIENDS, I also had a strong desire to show an unconventional portrait of women in cinema. My characters are not obsessed by their appearances and they are strong, complex and independent. I believe young women listening to violent punk rock and hardcode music haven’t been often portrayed on the big screen. This music choice also helps underlining the strong emotions my characters experience and brings a special atmosphere to the film.”
On finding the right cast:
“Casting was a real challenge. I had something quite precise in mind for Pascale, the antagonist, I needed her to be both violent and vulnerable. Finding someone to portray that was not an easy task, it took several rounds of auditioning.
I also wanted the acting to feel as real as possible. In order to achieve that, I worked very closely with the actresses. During the weeks before the shoot we improvised in order to define their characters and the profound relationship they share.”
On leaving the script behind:
“While filming, I asked them not to learn or even bring the script. I am convinced this technique helped the dialogue sound more natural. The time spent together beforehand also allowed us to build a trustful relationship and to create a true friendship that really shows on screen.”
On relying on your instincts:
“Trust your instincts, don’t be afraid of what comes out of your mind and what people might think – or it will prevent you to become your best self.”
On future projects as a cinematographer and as a director:
“While continuing my career as a cinematographer and shooting features with amazing directors (recently Beans from director Tracey Deer and Black Conflux from director Nicole Dorsey) I use my spare time to work on my own projects.
I am presently working on a short, a web series and a feature. Throughout my projects, I continue to explore complicated relationships, women emancipation and twisted characters. I also pursue my search for peculiar atmospheres and tones whether bizarre, surreal or uncanny.”
