Selected as the opening film for the 5th edition of Rendezvous with French Cinema, Dheepan tells a story about a Sri Lankan Tamil warrior who flees to France and ends up working as a caretaker outside Paris. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film won the Palme d'Or at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and was selected to be shown in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
InCinemas had the chance to talk to lead actress, Kalieaswari Srinivasan on her thoughts on making her first feature film and working with director Audiard.
InCinemas: Can you share with us the casting process for Dheepan, and your feelings when you were selected for the lead role?
It all began with the audition, here in Chennai, with the casting director Philippe Elcoubi. The audition was phenomenal and after which I was asked to come to Paris, for a ten day rehearsal and audition process with the director, before my participation in the project be confirmed. I went there happy simply being able to work with him for those ten days. And before the feelings about the selection could actually sink in, we had already begun the shoot!
InCinemas: What attracted you to this role?
First of all it was the audition that drew me to the project! I was timid even to attend the audition! And when I read the complete script after the audition, the simplicity of the story with a complex female character drew me more towards the wish to work in this movie.
InCinemas: What was the preparation for the Dheepen like? Did you have to learn/do anything special to play Yalini?
We had three to four weeks of preparation, including rehearsals with Jacques, also worked with our acting coach , Serge Ontoinette. Apart from that, I had to learn the Srilankan Tamil accent as I speak Indian Tamil!
InCinemas: Making the transition from stage to film must be a scary yet exciting experience. What was the hardest hurdle you had to overcome?
You said it! But more than scary I must say I was completely ignorant of the medium of camera. I am thankful that along with the director, the direction team helped me understand and adapt to camera, quite smoothly and fast.
InCinemas: How was it like working with director Jacques Audiard and how would you describe his directing style?
Working with him was blissfully tough! He is an explorer and a creator who is constantly creating and the beautiful and difficult part for us actors is that he includes us in his creative journey. I had experienced both freedom and responsibility working with him. Him being the only movie director with whom I have completed a movie, I am not aware of other directing styles!
InCinemas: What went through your mind when Dheepen was announced for the Palme d’Or award?
I think I went mad screaming! I was and am happy about the Palme d'Or as that is an award for everyone who worked in this movie and contributed sincerely in any way to make it what it is.
How has working on Dheepan enriched you as an actress, and for yourself personally?
Working in Dheepan has left me a more inspired person and a much calmer, more receptive and an evolved actor. We were shooting last year this time and I miss both the work and the team equally badly!
InCinemas: How was the experience at the Cannes Film Festival? What were some of your favourite / memorable moments during your time there?
Cannes was like a grand carnival for me. I felt like a child taken to the biggest film carnival, completely excited, taking in all the grandeur, chaos and passion for movies out there! It is not possible for me to single out few as memorable moments, as the whole experience as like a fairy tale! I had not even dreamt I would be in Cannes someday, and that too to present my work!
InCinemas: The message behind Dheepan is especially relevant in today’s world. What do you hope the audience will take away after watching this film?
I would say the story of Dheepan is relevant universally and for all the times. Rather than any message, the story is that of love, the story is that of the joy of a normal calm life. And if the film makes us realise that people are people, individuals, neighbours and not "them" and "numbers and statistics" and "refugees" and "outsiders" it would have played its part.
InCinemas: Making waves from Cannes and now to Singapore, what are your hopes for this film?
The film and its story has touched people around the world. Be it in Europe or in Asia. I say this from personally experiencing the reception of the audience. It reiterates the aspect that love is indeed powerful and is most yearned by us all, irrespective of where we are from. I only hope the film reaches out to more people and touches them with its story.
Dheepan is the opening film for the 5th edition of Rendezvous with French Cinema, and you can catch it on 5th December, at the Alliance Francaise Theatre!