Artistic Vision and Recent Work

“I don’t know if you can say that desire is what drives all of cinema, but it’s certainly what drives my cinema,” Guiraudie remarked in a recent video interview from his residence in Paris. This guiding principle is evident in his latest film, “Misericordia,” which premieres in U.S. theaters on Friday. The film garnered eight nominations for the César Awards and was recognized as the best film of 2024 by the esteemed magazine Cahiers du Cinéma in France.

The narrative follows Jérémie (played by Félix Kysyl) as he returns to his rural hometown, where he finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation and the attentions of a local Catholic priest.

Philosophy of Eroticism and Mortality

For Guiraudie, the themes of eroticism and death are intertwined. “There are two situations in which we return to our most primitive instincts: sex and violence,” he stated. “I see an obligatory connection.” This duality is particularly pronounced in his works, where characters often confront unfulfilled desires amid circumstances that can lead to their downfall.

Shifting Representations of Sexuality

In contrast to his previous film “Stranger by the Lake,” noted for its explicit depictions of sexuality, Guiraudie has chosen to omit sex scenes in “Misericordia.” He explained, “The foundation of this project was the idea of making an erotic film with no sex scenes.” He emphasizes the frustration and rejection often faced in the pursuit of desire, aiming to reflect the reality of many in the LGBTQ community, particularly those in rural areas.

Growing up on a farm near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Guiraudie intends to challenge societal norms around sexuality. “It became politically important for me to give the working class the sensuality, eroticism, and complexity of desire that I felt it was excluded from in cinema, television and magazines,” he shared.

A Personal Journey Through Film

Guiraudie’s initial reluctance to portray male sexuality stemmed from a personal struggle with accepting his identity. However, through his cinematic endeavors, he found a platform for self-acceptance. “Owning my homosexuality socially and being able to film homosexual acts,” he noted, “were two intricately linked processes for me.”

A New Approach to Sexuality in Film

Traditionally, sex scenes in movies are depicted with gravity, representing deep emotional connections. Guiraudie, however, opts for a lighter, more humorous approach. He contemplates the clichés often found in portrayals of sexual encounters, stating that both mainstream cinema and pornography frequently fail to depict the nuances of real-life intimacy.

He seeks to connect sexual themes with narrative, treating sex scenes methodically, akin to dialogue or action sequences, ensuring they serve a larger story context.

Industry Challenges and Future Aspirations

In the U.S., Strand Releasing has been a crucial supporter of Guiraudie’s work, facilitating the distribution of his films, including “Stranger by the Lake.” However, the candid nature of his storytelling has posed challenges in accessing mainstream platforms. “We could not get the film on platforms like iTunes or Amazon,” remarked Marcus Hu, co-founder of Strand Releasing.

Guiraudie reflects on the limited distribution options for his films, attributing this to a greater reactionary trend in culture. Despite these hurdles, he aims to reach broader audiences, stating, “My goal has always been to get out of that niche — to make a universal cinema by showing desires that were not universal.”