Last November saw the UK release of Cold Souls, in which Paul Giamatti played… well, Paul Giamatti. It wasn’t your run of the mill narrative. Like all good sci-fi the film explored poignant issues in an entertaining and memorable way. Tying in contemporary themes of celebrity obsession and identity crisis with the notion of ‘soul removal’ (for those who feel like it’s just ‘weighing you down’) the film’s premise was one of the most original to grace cinema screens last year. LWLies caught up with writer/director Sophie Barthes to discusses surrealism, dreams and the trials and tribulations of making her debut feature.
LWLies: It’s well known that the idea for Cold Souls came from a dream; do you feel more artists could make use of their subconscious for inspiration?
Barthes: Yes I think the subconscious is an unlimited source for inspiration. In the sixties it seems that many filmmakers were using their dreams. It was the era of psychoanalysis and surrealism. Today we are much more in an era of neo-realism. It’s the same for painting; I read somewhere that Salvador Dali would fall asleep with a coin in his hand. When the coin fell, he would wake up and paint the dream he just had.
This being your first feature length how hard did you find it getting a major Hollywood talent onboard for the film? How was it working with such well-respected actors as Paul Giamatti and Emily Watson?
Well I was extremely lucky with the film. I wrote it for Paul Giamatti and by a strange twist of fate, I won a screenwriting award at the Nantucket film festival. I went to the awards ceremony, and Paul Giamatti was there to presenting an award to Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. So I just told him about the project, and he responded positively. The following week he read the screenplay and accepted the role. I guess its called beginner’s luck. At the beginning of the shoot I was terrified to direct such great actors, but they were very generous and patient.
Find any major difficulties coming from doing two short films to a full-blown motion picture?
Well yes. Suddenly the pressure on your shoulders really builds up. From having a crew of four people to be working with a hundred people, you just hope everyday that you’re not wasting everyone’s time and that the boat is not going to sink!
What key lessons have you taken from making the film?
I think I’ve learned that a very meticulous preparation is essential. It’s very important to have completely visualized the film before the shoot starts, to be immersed in its mood and feeling. Once the shooting machine starts, there isn’t much time for reflection.
The film deals with the concept of the human soul, its worth as well as the perception of celebrity. What overall message do you feel the film conveys to the audience?
It’s very difficult for a filmmaker to talk about a ‘message’. For me, cinema is very close to painting. I don’t think paintings convey messages, but moods. So I just hope that the film has a particular mood, that there is a dreamlike feeling to it. I hope it just raises few questions about our relationship to our souls in a playful manner.
The cinematography for Cold Souls is particularly impressive. Do you plan to continue working with long time partner Andrij Parekh in the future?
Yes, if he accepts! We are married and just had a baby, so I guess he has no choice. Joking aside, I love working with him. He is much more advanced than me in his career. He has shot fifteen features already. I can’t imagine making a film without him. He is an integral part of the creative process.
The film industries in France and America operate on two completely different levels and in completely different ways. How do you think the two sides perceived the film?
Luckily, we had a French co-production (with Memento Films and Arte France). So we got the best of the two worlds. The film hasn’t been released in France yet, so I don’t know how it will be received. It should be released in May 2010.
There are rumours you’re already working on a follow up sci-fi feature, any news you can share with us?
It’s still at a very preliminary stage. I just recently had a baby, so I’ve been on a strange cloud; just recently reconnecting with writing.
With Cold Souls being well received by audiences and critics alike are you eager to get going on a new project?
I hope so! This industry is tough though, you never know if you’ll be able to make a second film.
Cold Souls is released on DVD March 15.
