Interview with Xavier Dolan on directing the new film Matthias & Maxime: "Friendship is love without sex"
From his inspiration to his confession about love and friendship, including his sexuality and gender issues. Vogue met with Xavier Dolan to talk about his newly released film Matthias & Maxime.
by ALEXANDRE MARAIN
16 OCT 2019
With the new film Matthias & Maxime, Xavier Dolan hopes to return to a more private movie together. For a short film directed by Erika, a sister in their circle of friends, two childhood friends must kiss. What they didn't know was that this kiss would challenge their feelings and subvert their lives. Matthias & Maxime will be screened in French theaters this Wednesday, Xavier Dolan and Vogue Hommes talk about this new film.
Matthias & Maxime © Shayne Laverdiere
Matthias & Maxime not only deals with the boundary between love and friendship, but also deals with friendship that can be described as love. Where do you get inspiration?
Xavier Dolan: This is just the story I want to tell. The stories between friends, especially the stories between me and my friends. Even the content described in the film does not truly reflect our lives.
Is it important to you to make this movie with your friends?
I have been working with friends, this is not the first time. For example, in It's Only the End of the World, I don't know Marion (Cotillard), Gaspard (Ulliel) and Léa (Seydoux), but I have developed feelings for them. I am a caring person and it is easy for me to show my attachment to the people I work with.
And shooting in your home country, Canada?
Yes, I really need to shoot at my home in Quebec. Was it the idea of forcing me to make a movie with them in order to make a movie about my friends, or was it the idea of forcing me to make a movie in Quebec with my friends? I can't explain. I know that by making movies at home with friends, we will be more comfortable in familiar places, and we can already work at a certain level without tame anyone. This is a great start for us.
Matthias & Maxime © Shayne Laverdiere
What friendship did you learn from director Matthias & Maxime?
For me, the most beautiful discovery is that my friends challenge themselves as easily as I do. Even if we mess up often, we know how to stay professional. We have been trying to impress each other. In any case, we always hope that other people can inspire us, and vice versa.
What is the big difference between love and friendship for you?
I almost fell in love with my friend without any ambiguity or toxicity. When you think about it, the only difference is sex. Friendship is love without sex.
Matthias & Maxime © Shayne Laverdiere
Is there a scene more intense than others filmed?
no. The most difficult scenes are technical short shots, which are often difficult to understand, especially when it comes to shooting with the correct camera. Contrary to what people might think, laughter or anger is the simplest and most exciting scene to shoot.
Tell us the beauty of the movie...
The only scene in this movie that we consider from an aesthetic point of view is also the most romantic. This is a shot of the kissing scene between Matthias and Maxime. The protruding window sill is the climax of the movie. Everything else is purely psychological. I want to make a simplified movie, put the camera on my shoulder, and follow the action of the character with realistic characters and almost natural scenes.
There are indeed conflicts between generations. Rivette's sister Erika asks Matthias and Maxime to kiss her short film, and she seems very satisfied with these identity issues.
Completely correct. When I graduated from high school at the age of 17, there were only heterosexuals, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. The new generation is very open to sex and gender issues. If it can upset some people of my time, I think it's great. Why don't I participate in sports? Unstoppable.
Initially, I didn't want to appear in the movie. A friend persuaded me.
Xavier Dolan
Why did you choose to play the role of Maxime?
Initially, I didn't want to appear in the movie. A friend persuaded me. He warned me that if I didn't do this, I would regret it. He was right. Now I want to continue acting. This is what I plan to do in the next few years.
If you had to choose the ultimate movie about friendship, what would it be?
The Big Chill by Lawrence Kasdan . This is about a group of friends of high school students. After one of them committed suicide, they met about twenty years later and spent a weekend in the country. Everyone has a stable life and career, but they are rediscovering themselves and knowing each other again. This is a great movie, which gives me a lot of inspiration.
Another movie about friendship inspired your Matthias & Maxime?
Thelma & Louise, but this is a duo...Ah, my reference is Gus Van Sant with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Good Will Hunting. The concept of friendship there is very important. Everyone insults everyone and protects everyone at the same time.
Matthias & Maxime © Shayne Laverdiere
One last question... What is the craziest thing you did for friendship?
In my opinion, there is nothing crazier in friendship than what I can do for love.
What about love?
I will always keep this feeling to myself. All I can say is that I have gone very far.
The article originated from the French version of VOGUE
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