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Artist Spotlight: Julie Moulin
It’s a true thrill to introduce Julie Moulin, director of the magical and wonderfully captivating short film ‘Comme des Enfants’, which is now on the record as an official Atlantis Award winner.
Thank you again for the nomination and for the prize, it was unexpected, so thank you.
First off; I can only wish you were there for our live event. Comme des Enfants screened in full, left people happily in tears, and earned a massive applause from the audience. Have you had a chance to watch your film with a full audience? Also; how do you feel knowing that audiences are going wild after watching your project?
I am moved to learn that Comme des Enfants left people in tears. I have already organized three screening of the movie here in France yes but most of the time, the audience wasn’t full, or most of them were members of my family, but I am always very moved to learn that people can be touched by the movie. When I am in the room, and when I hear people laugh, or maybe cry as you say, it remind me the reason why I want to make movies, and it bring me the motivation to go on new projects.
Among our team; several reviewers reveled in your ability to create multiple worlds in the same frame. (In particular, watching father and son talk through the door of his club house) What secrets can you share about creating two totally unique lighting setups in the same frame?
I was very lucky to work with a great director of photography and friend, Théo Deprez. For the club house, it was very particular to shoot. All interiors were shot in a studio, all exteriors were shot in a wood near my home, one week after. And the moment when the father is leaning against the club house, talking to his son inside of it, there are two set ups and two shots, which were put together in postproduction. We began in studio, filming the kid. There, the actor Yoan Milin, who plays the father, was there to give him his lines. One week after, we did the woods, with him and I did the kid’s lines, from the camera.
Ok, let’s look back a little. Tell us a about yourself, growing up and your passions.
I love cinema since I was a little girl. I started theater when I was thirteen approximately I think, and I studied cinema in a school after college. When I was a child, I was always creating shows with my little sister. We created the costumes and the stories, everything. But I guess many kids do the same!
Did you have any specific influences growing up that lead you towards the film industry?
My mother works in fashion and my father at the commercial court so… But my mother has always loved art. she took my sister and I to theaters to see musicals. There, being so close to the actors made me wanted to be a part of it, I guess… I still cry every time I go to theater when they come in front of us at the end of the show (for curtain calls). When I was 11/12, I decided to watch every film we had at home, and this is how my cinematographic culture began.
What are you currently working on?
I am writing a new short movie!
What were your main responsibilities on Comme des Enfants?
Comme des Enfants was my first movie and my graduation movie. So I produced it, I wrote the script with Eleonor Escoffier, and finally I directed it. I trusted Theo a lot, so on set I was free to spend a lot of time with the actors, especially the kids.
How big of a team was involved in the project? Also; can you tell us about your experience in working with your team in this film?
We were 25 on set I think. Maybe 30… I don’t know. I met the major part of the team on the set of the movie ‘A Slave in George Creek’, one year before. We became friends and now we still work together. So it was easy to talk with them. With the actors and the kids, it was different. I had never worked with young actors before so I learned everything on set. My first assistant director Louna and the kid’s referrer helped me a lot when it was long between every set up.
Many people will warn to ‘never work with animals or children’ (they are just to unpredictable). How was it working with two children as leads? How did you manage to get such incredible performances?
I had the chance to work with two great children and actors. Both of them had already worked as an actor before, so it was easier for me. They were not discovering everything, and it was a condition for the casting. But it was very funny because they did not worked the same way at all, so sometimes I told Laly a thing, when I told another one to Matthys. I had to tell him things in a different way, and this was hard because I couldn’t make a mistake, or they would have been lost very easily…
What was the most important thing for this movie to achieve from a narrative and character standpoint?
The most important thing to me was to bring the adults back to they childhood. It was really important to me to give the audience an open end. Do the parents understand that they must stop or did they just forget how to love? I would say that. I wanted to make a movie for adults and for children, in a second way. I hope everybody can watch it, and understand it a different way.
What makes a film interesting for you? What are three qualities that you look for in a movie?
I don’t want to watch movies that explain everything, especially in the dialogues. There are so many ways in cinema to show and to express a feeling. I love when there is poetry, but when it can be attached to a real story. And I love the music… this is so important.
What project helped you launch your career?
I am just beginning but I think that Comme des Enfants helps me a lot to meet people and to talk. So I would say this one. But 3 years ago I did my first project as an assistant director, for the movie ‘Matin Brun’, directed by Elitsa Marielle. A great short movie thanks to the one I met Corentun Bertry, director of ‘A slave in George Creek‘, on the one I met my team.
What criteria do you use when building your team?
The talent is very important, investment is one of the most important thing but team spirit is also, very important too.
What are you most proud of? Describe your biggest accomplishment to date.
I am very proud of this movie because I learned a lot about work and about me, there are some things I would never do the same way and this is the thing I am the most proud of.
As a screenwriter, what is the most important aspect of building a character?
Knowing the character is very important I think, His name, where did he grew up, who are his parents, his friends, what dos he want… I think there are a lot of questions to answer before writing any line of the scenario.
What are your ambitions for your directing career?
I am writing a movie and I would like to produce it, and maybe one day do a featured film.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you’re super excited about?
Yes I am writing something about two young people meeting and falling in love (again).
What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to enter the film industry, especially as an director?
As an advice, I would say go talk to people, make your movies, even if you don’t think you have the equipment for that. Show your work, do it again and again and tell the entire world your desire and don’t be scared to talk, everybody does.
Where can everyone keep up with you to learn more? (social media links, related websites, etc)
I try to post more and more about my work on Instagram! @julie_mlin
Thanks so much for joining us for this conversation. We appreciate your participation and wish you the very best – and definitely hope to feature the premiere of your next project. You will always be welcome here. Best of luck with everything.
Thank you!! It was a pleasure.