Claire Denis Talks Robert Pattinson & High Life with Cahiers Du Cinema

Cahier du Cinema’s Cannes Special issue includes an interview with Claire Denis by Jean-Sébastien Chauvin.  Jean-Sébastien asks her about High Life and this is what Claire had to say:

Translation by PAW (I’ve just amended slightly):

A sun, waiting for an interview   with Claire Denis by Jean-Sébastien Chauvin

Jean-Sébastien Chauvin: What about your science fiction project?

Claire Denis: It’s a SF project, but in my own way, very software (laughs)! (…) I’m starting the preparation in a few weeks. It’s an English-language movie that will be filmed in Germany. …

Jean-Sébastien Chauvin:  When you talk about SF software, it immediately evokes New Rose Hotel by Abel Ferrara

… It takes place in space, not on Earth. This is a project I have had in my mind for the last fifteen years. At the time I thought of Vincent Gallo to play the leading role but the producers are often afraid of him. One day Robert Pattinson contacted the person who was doing the English casting. I was intrigued but I thought he was too young. Every time I went to London to meet some actors, he was there. His desire to work with me has never faltered.  And now he is a little less young and it’s perfect.

Jean-Sébastien Chauvin: He is one of those actors whose intelligence one feels when they act.

Claire Denis: Yes, absolutely. He has a lot of humor too. I thought it was so strange that this young man wanted so much to work with me when he could do whatever he wanted. I was almost embarrassed. But his unflinching desire and our mutual recognition have done their work.