Florian Zeller, 41, had a great time at the 93rd Academy Awards, his film “The Father” having won two statuettes: best adapted screenplay and best actor for Anthony Hopkins.
We were able to speak to him in the early morning after the ceremony which ended at 5:20 am (French time).
You are happy ?
FLORIAN ZELLER.
Very happy.
We started the evening by receiving the Oscar for best screenplay, and from that moment on I mentioned Anthony Hopkins, because I cannot separate the desire that I had to make this film from the desire to do it with him.
I wrote it for him, and ending the night with his Oscar, that makes even more sense.
Being able to share that with him at that time is invaluable ...
Were you able to talk to him?
Yes, he is in Scotland, also stuck in a health bubble, which is why he was not present at the ceremony.
I called him right after, he had just woken up, I felt his great emotion, it upset me.
It has a particular meaning for him to receive again the greatest consecration that is for an actor, more than thirty years after that of the "Silence of the Lambs", I did not think that he would be so happy… I know he gave everything to "The Father", he was extraordinarily generous as he connected with his own emotions and his own sense of mortality so that this film could find its strength.
I find that admirable.
You also thanked Christopher Hampton, with whom you co-wrote the screenplay ...
In fact, we've been working together for years, he translated all of my plays in England.
We understand each other well.
When I decided to make a film in English, so I chose to do it with him, I needed someone who could be the guarantor of the English soul.
His collaboration was invaluable.
Finally, you did not make the trip to Los Angeles, you were on the roof of Canal + in Boulogne-Billancourt…
We could not travel for health reasons.
But what I found pleasing is that despite the obstacles due to these conditions, all the nominees were able to share a strong night around the cinema, some being in Los Angeles, others in London, in Rome. or in Paris.
We were still together.
And all the French nominees were gathered on the roof of Canal +.
The cast of your second film, "The Son," which will headlining Hugh Jackman and Laura Dern, was announced on Wednesday.
Do these Oscars motivate you even more to immerse yourself in this new feature film?
Yes, even if you have to make films for reasons other than to receive awards.
“The Son” is a story that I carry within me.
We should shoot this summer if all goes well, we go into pre-production this week.
In the meantime, if theaters open mid-May as scheduled, “The Father” should be released in the first days of June.
I hope so, because I can't wait to share this film with the audience.