Marion Vernoux was born in Montreuil-sous-Bois, France. She wrote the screenplay for Bernard Schmitt’s Pacific Palisades (90). Her directorial credits
include Personne ne m’aime (94), Rien a faire (99), both of which screened at the Festival, Reines d’un jour (01), A boire (04), and Bright Days Ahead (13).
Bright Days Ahead
is playing as a Gala Presentation at TIFF.
Women and Hollywood: Please give us your description of the film playing at TIFF.
Marion Vernoux: The movie is a “survival kit” for women who have already lived their lives and are wondering what to do for the first time for the rest of
their lives. The directions are for the men who love them.
WaH: What drew you to this script?
MV: The producers suggested to me to adapt a novel of young novelist Fanny Chesnel. The theme excited me very much.
WaH: What was the biggest challenge?
MV: To create a simple story without making it seem too simplistic.
WaH: What advice do you have for other female directors?
MV: Don’t be ashamed of being a woman and don’t be ashamed to be an accomplished woman.
WaH: What’s the biggest misconception about you and your work?
MV: That nobody began to realize my genius. That began to worry me.
WaH: What are the biggest challenges and or opportunities for the future with the changing distribution mechanisms for films?
MV: Like a painter, a filmmaker should change their format, their support, despite their career they shouldn’t be stuck in a system that is stuck in the
past. Alternate between short films, long form films, with or without stars, small budget or big budget films. Basically a filmmaker needs to be flexible.
WaH: Name your favorite women directed film and why.
MV: Wanda by Barbara Loden and All About My Mother by Pedro Almodovar.
