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Leos Carax held a second Q&A session for Annette

Andrea Mora

Leos Carax's presence has been one of the most pleasant surprises at the 19th Morelia International Film Festival (FICM). The French director has been present at the screenings of all his films and has stuck around to talk with the audience after. This time, his most recent premiere is up with Annette, this year's inaugural film.

Starring Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard and Simon Helberg, the film tells the story of Henry, a standup comedian with an incisive sense of humor, and Ann, an internationally renowned opera singer. This couple's life is turned upside down after the birth of their first daughter, Annette.

"Music was the first part of Annette," Leos responded to the question "How did you come up with the idea for the film?" The director said that it all began with small ideas that later became big ideas. It is clear to him that choosing the right people ensures success in his films, which is why when he met Adam Driver he knew immediately that he had to be his protagonist.

This musical marked Carax's return after a nine-year absence. Annette emerged ten years ago and the director has been working with Sparks on the musicalization for eight years. With this film, Leos shows that taking on challenges is something he enjoys. "I dared to use colors that I had never used before," he says.

The filmmaker finds a form of personal expression in cinema. "It's interesting to make a film about parents because I am a father." He considers cinema acquires a different dimension when the director relates to what he is working on, and while he is not clear about his cinematographic influences for this film, he is very clear about his motto: "You do what you have to do."

The film, produced by Julio Chavezmontes, briefly features Mexican singer and songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. Annette recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival, where Leos won the Best Director Award.