Special screening of Juliette Binoche’s film "Ιn-I In Motion", with the director in attendance

On Tuesday evening, the 28th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival welcomed the radiant French star, Juliette Binoche, at the packed Olympion theater, for the special screening of the documentary In-I In Motion, which marks the directorial debut of the renowned and acclaimed actress.

Orestis Andreadakis, TFF’s Artistic Director offered a warm welcome to the 28th TiDF’s esteemed guest, stating: “Juliette Binoche has collaborated with some of the leading filmmakers in European and world cinema, has become associated with landmark films that left a lasting mark on audiences. She is the President of the European Film Academy, winning an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a César Award and a Best Actress Award at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin Film Festivals. In 2024, she was awarded an Honorary Golden Alexander here in the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Having enjoyed a long career in front of the camera, she recently decided to step behind it, and direct a documentary - a genre with its own unique challenges and demands. Ιn-I In Motion, which will have its theatrical release in Greece this autumn, distributed by Feelgood, proves she has done so masterfully. From this point forward, her name won’t be exclusively associated with that of a remarkable actress, but also with that of an important director, who possesses her own unique gaze, singular aesthetic, and distinctive voice. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Juliette Binoche.”

Juliette Binoche thanked TFF for the invitation, and then spoke about the concept upon which the documentary was based: “Thank you for your invitation to this special place. It has become my second home, and I’m grateful to everyone here. I spent many months pondering how to put together this footage, which had been shot by my sister, director Marion Stalens. She allowed me to utilize the unedited material, since she had a lot of footage she hadn’t used. I made this film so that the audience could get a glimpse of what it's like to be part of a creative process, which is a highly ambiguous condition. You don’t know where you’re going, but you keep going because you believe you'll find the place you're looking for,” she initially remarked.

“During this process, there are many fears, though many miracles can also occur. We experienced tensions, but also great joy that we succeeded. There was a lot of faith on our part, but also on the part of two other people: our acting coach, Susan Batson, and our rehearsal director, Su-Man Hsu. We come from four different continents, from various parts of the world. From Taiwan, the US, Africa, Bangladesh, London, Paris. This is what matters most; the joy of sharing and attempting to build a common vision. Since Thessaloniki encompasses many different cultures, as I hear each time I visit, I hope this film will resonate with you in both heart and mind,” Juliette Binoche concluded.

This was followed by the screening of the documentary In-I In Motion, which documents her creative encounter and collaboration with Akram Khan, the celebrated British dancer and choreographer. After the screening, a Q&A followed, during which the French star spoke about the various themes explored in the film and reflected on her transition to directing. “There is a story I wish to share with the world. I don’t know, but somehow, I feel that I inspire people’s thoughts. This is the goal. When Robert Redford came to watch the play, he told me in the end that I must make a film about it. I didn’t need anything more, that’s how I decided to do it. I knew it would end up being an important experience, because connecting different people is always interesting, as we come from different worlds. Although dancing and acting may seem worlds apart, trying to discover a connection and a new way to merge these two art forms was a challenge, a duty.”

When asked about her line of thinking as she began working on the film, Juliette Binoche disclosed: “I don’t know if you felt like a part of the creative process in some way, if you experienced this ambiguity and some of the conflicts. My idea was to make the audience participate in the experience. I wasn’t trying to explain what we went through or tell a story about it. What I was most interested in was allowing the audience to become part of the process.” On the question of how she chose the final footage for the film, she explained: “In reality, directing provides space, an outlet for the audience to use their imagination, since we can't explain everything. These were the difficulties, yet I have collected many beautiful moments. Directing is about making choices and being selective about what you include. In some of the shots I've selected, I look ridiculous, but that's not a problem: as an actor and creator, you have to look ridiculous at times, it’s part of the process. However, once you let go of the fear, the feeling is truly incredible.”

Next, she talked about her connection with dance and the importance of experimenting with new things: “It was a journey for beginners. And it was an entertaining one because it showed me we can try new things. Sometimes we don’t dare, for fear of being judged or of deceiving ourselves or others. But if you have faith and try every day, then beautiful things will happen, we can transform ourselves. This is the true luxury of being human; that there is a transformation within each of us. That’s why I felt it was essential to share the film. I believe we must dare to embark on new journeys, because this is precisely the gift of life.”

We come from four different continents, from various parts of the world. This is what matters most; the joy of sharing and attempting to build a common vision. Since Thessaloniki encompasses many different cultures, as I hear each time I visit, I hope this film will resonate with you in both heart and mind. - Juliette Binoche

On the connection between creativity and love, she stressed: “Surrendering to the flame of creativity is the greatest thing. Love is such a powerful word. We seek love, and of course, we are capable of falling in love. When love arrives, it takes us by surprise; it’s such an overwhelming feeling, we must be able to receive it. That is what makes it attainable,” she expressed, revealing that the first story featured in the documentary, about a 14-year-old girl falling in love in the cinema, actually happened to her at that age.

In response to a question posed by Orestis Andreadakis about why she chose the documentary format and whether she’s thinking on taking up fiction in the future, Juliette Binoche clarified: “I cannot say that I chose documentary filmmaking; documentary filmmaking chose me. When Robert Redford told me, ‘You must make a film about this stage production,’ I immediately felt that he was right, and that I would do it. He was the one who sensed the necessity, and soon after I committed as well, agreeing to his suggestion. I didn’t know when it would happen because I was very busy as an actress, and when you love what you do, it's very difficult to disconnect and devote two years of your life to doing something completely different. However, I had already said ‘yes,’ and for me, the words that come out of our mouths are contracts that we must honor wholeheartedly.” As for whether she plans to explore fiction, Julliette Binoche didn’t rule anything out: “Life is fiction in and of itself, so we’ll see what the future holds.”