LIVE: 'Queen at Sea' Berlinale photo call and press conference

Queen at Sea Press Conference Summary

Key Concepts:

• Dementia & Agency: The central theme revolves around the complexities of decision-making when an individual suffers from dementia, specifically regarding consent and quality of life.
• Family Dynamics: The film explores the tensions and emotional burdens within a family grappling with a parent’s declining health and the ethical dilemmas that arise.
• Generational Differences: The interplay between different generations – a young couple, the parents, and the grandmother – highlights contrasting perspectives on love, sexuality, and responsibility.
• Visual Storytelling: The film utilizes specific visual elements (stairs, color palettes) to enhance the narrative and convey thematic meaning.
• Authenticity & Research: The filmmakers prioritized accuracy and emotional truth through extensive research, including consultations with medical professionals and individuals with firsthand experience.

I. Introduction & Panel Introductions (Jessica Kiang)

The press conference, moderated by Jessica Kiang, introduced the cast and crew of Lance Hammer’s film, Queen at Sea, premiering in the main competition. Kiang highlighted the key personnel:

• Tristan Golager (Producer): Known for his work with Andrew Haigh ( 45 Years) and Darra Van Dusen (A Prayer for the Dying).
• Anna Calder-Marshall (Leslie): A veteran stage, film, and television actress, with a notable early role in a 1968 production of Hamlet.
• Tom Courtenay (Martin): A highly acclaimed actor with a six-decade career, including a Berlinale Silver Bear for Best Actor for 45 Years.
• Lance Hammer (Writer/Director/Producer): Returning after his 2008 debut Ballast, which won awards at Sundance.
• Juliette Binoche (Amanda): An internationally renowned actress, holding the “triple crown” of European acting awards (Cannes, Venice, Berlin) and an Academy Award. She previously served as jury president at the Berlin Film Festival in 2019.
• Florence Hunt (Sarah): A rising star, known for her role in Netflix’s Bridgerton.
• Adulo Velos (Cinematographer): Recently Oscar-nominated for his work on Train Dreams and known for a precise, sculptural visual style.

II. Initial Exchange & Film Context (Tom Courtenay & Lance Hammer)

The conference began with a question directed to Tom Courtenay regarding the difficult decision of who should make choices for someone with dementia. Courtenay responded that receiving the script and the opportunity to work with Juliette Binoche was a decisive factor for him. He emphasized the film’s exploration of agency and consent, particularly when an individual’s capacity for decision-making is compromised by illness. Hammer elaborated on the core conflict: the tension between Martin’s love for his wife and his potential inability to adequately care for her, leading to the debate about institutional care.

III. Character Perspectives & Thematic Exploration (Juliette Binoche & Lance Hammer)

A question to Juliette Binoche explored the potential jealousy of her character, Amanda, being the only single woman amidst two couples. Binoche firmly denied this interpretation, stating Amanda’s primary focus is survival and ensuring the well-being of everyone on the boat. Hammer reinforced this, emphasizing the film’s broader themes of security, sexuality, and the challenges of caring for a parent with dementia. He clarified that jealousy was not a central theme.

IV. Agency, Judgment & the Core Conflict (Natalia Shukak & Lance Hammer, Tom Courtenay, Juliette Binoche)

A key question focused on why Amanda seems to perceive the potential harm Martin might be causing his wife while Sarah, their daughter, does not. Hammer explained that the film centers on the question of agency – when is someone’s agency taken away, and who decides? Binoche added that Amanda possesses a clearer perspective, recognizing Martin’s potential denial or repression of the situation and the possibility that his actions, despite being motivated by love, could be harmful. She highlighted the difficulty of making decisions that will inevitably cause pain. Courtenay added that Martin believes he can care for his wife, but his limitations are not fully acknowledged.

V. Visual Style & Production Details (Catalina & Adulo Velos, Lance Hammer)

The discussion shifted to the film’s visual elements. The date “March 23rd, 2023” appearing in the CCTV footage was revealed to be the birthday of cinematographer Bruno Ganz, a deliberate (though initially unconscious) homage. Velos discussed the film’s visual approach, emphasizing the use of static camera work to represent routine and handheld camera work to signify disruption. He also explained the significance of the color palette, starting with a blank canvas of white and gradually introducing blues and greens to reflect the evolving emotional landscape. Hammer detailed the extensive research process, involving consultations with medical professionals and individuals with dementia, and the iterative rewriting of the script to ensure accuracy and sensitivity. He also highlighted the challenges of filming in a real location with physical obstacles like stairs. He emphasized the importance of the rehearsal process and the collaborative spirit of the production.

VI. Performance & Inspiration (Manuela & Annie Calder-Marshall, Tom Courtenay, Lance Hammer)

A question to Annie Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay focused on their preparation for their complex roles. Calder-Marshall described visiting care homes and drawing on her personal experience (her husband also has dementia) to deeply understand the character. Courtenay praised Calder-Marshall’s commitment and the trust placed in her by Hammer and Binoche. Hammer recounted how he “discovered” Calder-Marshall and was unwavering in his belief that she was the perfect fit for the role.

VII. Existential Themes & Closing Remarks (Fia & Juliette Binoche, Lance Hammer)

The conference concluded with a question about the film’s exploration of universal themes – aging, dying, loving, and sexuality. Binoche responded with a call for spiritual reflection, acknowledging the inevitability of these experiences. Hammer reiterated the film’s focus on the complexities of human connection and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Florence Hunt spoke about the inspiration she drew from Binoche and Calder-Marshall’s performances and the strength of the female characters.

Technical Terms & Concepts:

• Dementia: A general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
• Agency: The capacity of an individual to act independently and make their own free choices.
• Consent: Voluntary agreement to something. A key ethical consideration in the context of dementia.
• Berlinale: The Berlin International Film Festival.
• Sundance Film Festival: A prominent film festival showcasing independent cinema.
• Cinematography: The art and technique of motion picture photography.
• Gallion: A large, multi-decked sailing ship used by the Spanish.

This press conference provided a comprehensive overview of Queen at Sea, highlighting its thematic depth, the actors’ commitment to their roles, and the filmmakers’ dedication to authenticity and nuanced storytelling. The film appears to be a challenging and emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding care for individuals with dementia.