Léonor Serraille: A Director Who Stays Grounded Amidst Success
With a career that would be the envy of any young director, Léonor Serraille has achieved critical acclaim and industry recognition in a remarkably short time. After winning the prestigious Caméra d'Or for her 2017 debut, "Montparnasse Bienvenue," Serraille's sophomore feature, "Mother and Son," competed at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
Despite her high profile, Serraille has maintained a remarkable distance from the spotlight. She eschews social media, lives outside Paris, and remains guarded about her success.
"For years, I never even told people I worked in cinema," Serraille confides. "I enjoy anonymity and being part of the crowd. To do this job well, you can't look down on others; you have to be on the same level and blend in."
This grounded approach is evident in Serraille's latest film, "Ari," which is in contention for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Shot on Super 16 film and stripped of makeup and vanity, the film follows a young student teacher whose life unravels after a breakdown at work. As the troubled protagonist navigates the gritty streets of Lille, "Ari" exposes a broader generational unease.
Serraille developed "Ari" through workshops at France's national acting conservatory, casting trainees from the program to capture the raw, improvisational feel of the story. She also drew inspiration from her own personal experiences, both in Lille and elsewhere.
"I wanted to be shaken up," says Serraille, who was disappointed by the reception of her previous film. "It felt strange, because I had invested so much in it. I was a bit lost and needed a different approach—one that allowed ideas to emerge organically through collaboration, improvisation, and documentary-like techniques. Everything felt very alive, spontaneous, and intense."
Serraille initially focused on the concept of trainee teachers, but the project evolved through improvisational workshops, allowing her to capture the unrehearsed interactions and emotions that emerged.
"The young men in the class seemed incredibly fragile," she observes. "They were sensitive, vulnerable, and disillusioned, which both surprised and comforted me. They were willing to show their emotions and find strength in sharing their feelings—and that became my main focus.
"My films explore recurring themes of resilience and introspection," Serraille continues. "When we experience setbacks, how do we navigate them and regain our footing? Male characters are often expected to remain stoic, while women are 'permitted' to show vulnerability. But this is changing."
"Ari" also reflects a languorous节奏 that Serraille believes is missing in the digital age.
"Everything moves too quickly these days," she says. "I prefer to slow down, make eye contact, and really listen. That's what I aim for in my work—to capture the nuances of physicality, gaze, and breath. I need to create that space for myself."
"In 'Ari,' you're never quite sure whether the character will break down, cry, laugh, smile, or start dancing," Serraille concludes. "We all contain multitudes. Young people today may grapple with societal challenges, but they're also incredibly compassionate, inventive, and open-minded. The questions they ask about the world are important, and they deserve a place in cinema."