Jay Joshi
The 49th International Film Festival of India will be opening with the film ‘The Aspern Papers’(2018) directed by Julien Landais. The film itself is based on French writer Jean Pavans’ adaptation of Henry James’ novel of the same name. Apart from being the opening film of IFFI2018, this is also the world premier of The Aspern Papers.
In a press conference held on Monday at the old GMC building in Panaji, the film’s director and cast interacted with the media about the film. “Upon reading the novel, I felt it was compelling, and delved into themes that I love.” said director Landais “I wanted to recreate the world of that era.”
Set in 19th century Venice, The Aspern Papers is the story of obsession and lost grandeur. An ambitious editor/writer who is obsessed with the life of now dead American poet Jeffrey Aspern tries to get his hands on letters Aspern wrote to his mistress Juliana Bordereau. Now an old woman, Juliana lives in a dilapidated palazzo in Venice with her niece, Ms TIna.
“The film covers all of the novel without betraying the original writer”, said Director Landais. “Henry James is all about illusions, and this film uses flashbacks and fantasies to explain the plot.”
Louis Robbins, who plays the role of Mrs Prest, a close confidante of protagonist Morton, observed that the costumes in the movie were particularly noteworthy. Actress Barabra Meier, who was visiting India for the second time, noted that the old Venice shown in the film was something special for her.
Commenting on how this particular period drama could still be relevant to current times, Director Landais said he does not think that the nature of the world today has changed. “Human nature never changes. There is freedom and there is repression. People at the time were looking to express themselves, but could not.” stated the director, noting how one of the lead characters in the film, a 40-year-old woman, still has to live in the shadow of her aunt.
Landais added that he has been exposed to Indian Bollywood films when he was a student in New York, and he liked the strong emotions in Bollywood films.
