Director Claire Denis talks blood and gore with Collective.

Listen to Claire Denis interview:
on what the film is about
on whether it's a gory vampire film
on working with gallo and dalle

“It’s about being afraid of hurting the one you love because you love them too much” is how French director Claire Denis describes her first foray into erotic horror. “That’s why it starts with two lovers kissing in a car at night... It starts with a kiss and ends with a bite.”

Arthouse favourites Vincent Gallo and Béatrice Dalle play blood-hungry f(r)iends who like to chew the fat after sex. Literally. While research scientist Gallo wrestles with his vampiric urges, Dalle readily indulges hers, luring men into sex then killing them by eating their genitals. All while Tindersticks play songs on the soundtrack. Yummy.

The idea for the film came from a dream Denis had when she was a child, when her mother’s bedtime kisses turned to bites and she started eating her. So does she mind if people call it a vampire film? “I don’t care,” she sighs wearily. “I don’t call it that, and I have absolutely no energy and no will to fight what people say. I’m doing my work. That’s all I care about.”

Depending on your mood, Trouble Every Day is either darkly poetic or hilariously po-faced. “I thought I would try and make the film a flow of emotion,” says Denis earnestly. “Like the flow of blood in a vein.” Ah yes, blood. At one point, Dalle seems to have painted the walls with it. “I have nothing against blood,” says Denis. “Godard said that when you see blood in the cinema it’s just a colour. Blood is not cynical. Gore is cynical and this film is not cynical.”

But isn’t cannibalism gory? “I don’t think the film is even about cannibalism,” says Denis. “It’s abstract. It’s like something that goes beyond the skin.” She pauses. “It’s a metaphor. It’s not a documentary.” Well, that’s certainly a relief. Jonathan Carter 19 December 02

Trouble Every Day, on limited release 27 December 02.

useful link: www.lot47.com/troubleeveryday