“Anemone”, interview with director Ronan Day-Lewis

In competition at the 23rd Alice nell Città, Ronan Day-Lewis presented his directorial debut, Anemone, co-written and starred by his father, actor Daniel Day-Lewis.

The film, coming out in Italian cinemas from November 6th with Universal Pictures Italy, marks Daniel Day-Lewis’s return to the big screen, 8 years after the release of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread.

The powerful themes of identity, family, and reconciliation in Anemone

Anemone is a compelling film that delves into the tumultuous journey of a man confronting his past and seeking redemption. The film showcases a narrative of two painful yet rewarding journeys: reconnecting with a brother and embracing fatherhood.

With a screenplay written by father and son, Anemone features Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean as two brothers who, estranged for a long time, meet again in the wilderness where one of them has chosen to live in isolation after a family crisis. Day-Lewis plays Ray, a man who abandoned his wife and young son because of wounds too difficult to manage and buried secrets. The encounter with his brother, once a fundamental bond, brings all the resentments to the surface, along with a confession and perhaps a second chance.

A Visual and Narrative Exploration

Inspired by his work as a painter, Ronan Day-Lewis crafts a film that is visually meticulous down to the smallest detail, like a succession of tableaux. His camera slowly follows the path of his protagonist, Ray, as he brings unresolved matters to light; and if at first it must chase him, showing him only from behind or in profile, little by little it manages to catch sight of his face, up to a final confrontation.

Ronan Day-Lewis explains that his protagonist, Ray, is experiencing a form of spiritual crisis, having disconnected from his identity and loved ones. The film opens with Ray isolated, while the camera visually reflects his emotional state. Initially shot from behind or at angles that hide his face, the cinematography symbolizes his reluctance to face himself and others. As the story unfolds, the camera gradually approaches, mirroring his internal opening up. The pivotal scene with his former wife, Jem (Samantha Morton) marks a turning point, where the camera finally reveals Ray’s face fully, symbolizing acceptance and emotional vulnerability.

Blending Mythic and Quotidian Imagery

The visual style of Anemone combines mythic elements with everyday realism. The director worked closely with the cinematographer to craft a balanced language inspired by 16th-century illuminated manuscripts and 1990s Sheffield street scenes. This synthesis of the fantastical and the mundane creates a unique aesthetic that underscores the film’s themes, highlighting the tension between myth and reality. The use of music, particularly shoegaze, further enriches the film’s atmospheric tone.

Plot