Marie Kreutzer's latest film, 'Gentle Monster,' takes viewers into the life of Lucy, an experimental pianist whose seemingly idyllic rural existence with her husband, Philip, and young son is shattered by the discovery of Philip's secret life involving child pornography. The narrative, which also features Catherine Deneuve as Lucy's mother, delves into the harrowing emotional landscape of a woman grappling with an unimaginable betrayal.
For Kreutzer, the project developed an unsettling personal resonance. She began writing 'Gentle Monster' in 2020, inspired by a German newspaper article about a criminal ring. However, in a disturbing turn of events, Florian Teichtmeister, a prominent actor from her 2022 film 'Corsage,' was arrested and later pleaded guilty to child pornography possession. This shocking coincidence initially made Kreutzer question whether she could continue with the film. Ultimately, she decided it was "more of a reason to make the film and to confront it and not run away from it," transforming a personal ordeal into a powerful artistic statement.
Léa Seydoux, who portrays Lucy, was drawn to the script's intricate handling of such a sensitive topic. "I loved the script. I thought it was well written and very subtle, because the subject is obviously a tough subject," Seydoux shared. She particularly appreciated the film's decision to tell the story from Lucy's perspective, allowing for a complex portrayal of grief, anger, and confusion rather than focusing on the perpetrator or victim. Seydoux described the central revelation as a "horrible thing" that creates "an earthquake inside" her character, demanding a broad spectrum of emotional expression.
Filming presented unique challenges for Seydoux, including speaking German and performing intricate piano concert scenes. Kreutzer acknowledged the difficulty of these sequences, particularly the concert scenes, noting the tension between her and Seydoux's intuitive acting and directing styles and the technical precision required. Another memorable moment involved Seydoux, who doesn't drive, having to reverse a car with a child in the back seat, which Kreutzer playfully dubbed a "wild day."
'Gentle Monster' was acquired by Netflix during the Cannes Film Festival. It is set for a limited theatrical release on October 30, before becoming available for streaming on Netflix globally starting November 18. Alexander Glehr and Johanna Scherz produced the film.