Peter Dourountzis and Lawrence Valin, members of the Sang Neuf jury at the sixth edition of the Reims Polar Festival, are injecting new blood into the French genre. They talk about their experiences with their films and their approach to filmmaking.
Peter Dourountzis mentioned that he used genre cinema as a way to engage the audience and make the storyline more accessible. He emphasized the importance of creating an entertaining film that also reflects personal experiences.
On the other hand, Lawrence Valin highlighted the universal appeal of thrillers and action films. He drew inspiration from filmmakers like Martin Scorsese to infuse intimate and personal elements into his work, ensuring an engaging experience for the audience.
Both directors discussed the thrill of crafting their own scenes and the joy of blending influences from various cinema styles. They emphasized the significance of finding their unique filmmaking identity and how it shapes their creative process.
Regarding the French film industry, they touched upon the challenges of financing and the perception of action cinema as primarily American. Lawrence Valin advocated for preserving French cinema’s identity and diversity, citing filmmakers like Jacques Audiard as references for contemporary French cinema.
The directors also reflected on the evolution of French cinema, noting a shift towards embracing new styles and techniques influenced by international trends. They expressed optimism about the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers and producers with diverse influences shaping the future of French cinema.
