“Art is useless and devoting time to filmmaking is a waste of time. In these words, Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan told Spanish media that he would stop making films. The filmmaker, however, quickly claimed that his remarks were poorly reported.
The 34-year-old filmmaker recently told Spanish newspaper El Mundo that he plans to end his directing career. ” I’m tired. I don’t see the need to continue,” he said.
In El Pais, another media established in Spain, he also said that he was definitely renouncing cinema and directing, citing that all the work that comes with the realization of his works does not equal the results obtained, especially from financial side.
All these remarks, widely reported by the Quebec and European media, caused a lot of reaction. On Instagram, in a story published Thursday afternoon, the main interested party wanted to refute what was written in the columns of the Spanish media.
“Of course art is important. Of course, cinema is not a waste of time. Sometimes words are taken out of context and the meaning of things gets lost in translation. I will explain myself soon. Also I’m fine lol,” he wrote.
Contacted by La Presse, Xavier Dolan’s agent indicated that he would not comment further on the situation for the moment and that he would make a publication on this subject at the appropriate time.
This isn’t the first time Dolan has hinted at the end of his directing career, however. Since the release of his first series, The night where Laurier Gaudreault woke up, the Quebecer has hinted in a few interviews that he no longer wishes to continue on the same path.
In January, Dolan told Le Monde that he “felt like he said everything [he had] to say” and spoke of a long break ahead. His thinking seems to have evolved and he was much more categorical with the Spanish newspapers.
“I don’t understand what’s the point of insisting on telling stories when everything is collapsing around you,” he told El Mundo. Art is useless and devoting oneself to cinema is a waste of time. »
Prior to Illico’s series The Night When Laurier Gaudreault Woke up, which received critical acclaim, Xavier Dolan directed eight feature films, including I Killed My Mother (2009), Mommy (2014) and his most recent, Matthias and Maxim (2019). He has also directed music videos, notably for British star Adele (for the songs Hello and Easy on Me). Xavier Dolan also has roles as an actor, producer and voice actor on his CV.
When asked by El Mundo newspaper about his plans for the future, Xavier Dolan replied, “I’m going to build myself a house and go and take refuge there with my friends and watch the world burn. »
