Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie : Interview Kirill Serebrennikov (extended version)

Paris, Hotel Bel Ami, November 25 2024

Interview with director Kirill Serebrennikov, in Russian, then translated into French by specialist in Eastern cinematography, Joël Chapron
Limonov la ballade sur les écrans français le 4 Décembre 2024

The film Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie traces the tumultuous and fascinating life of Edouard Limonov, writer, dissident and controversial figure on the Russian political and cultural scene. Through an immersive mise-en-scène and a sensitive eye, director Kirill Serebrennikov explores the multiple facets of this complex man, navigating between literary glory, exile and radical ideological commitment. This intimate yet captivating portrait invites us to reflect on the tensions between artistic creation and political positioning, offering a unique insight into an extraordinary character. A round-table discussion with the director allowed us to delve behind the scenes of this rich and nuanced work, and better understand the choices that shaped this cinematic narrative.

Kirill Serebrennikov is a Russian director and playwright renowned for his bold, avant-garde approach. A key figure on the contemporary art scene, he has made a name for himself with works that question social, political and cultural norms, often breaking taboos. His distinctive style blends powerful visual aesthetics with narrative depth, whether in film, theater or opera. Despite the pressures and controversies he has faced in his homeland, notably due to his opposition to censorship and his commitment to artistic freedom, Kirill Serebrennikov has succeeded in imposing his unique voice on the international scene. His works, such as Leto and Petrov's Fever, reflect a vision of the world that is both poetic and provocative, making him a key figure in committed art.

Synopsis:
Revolutionary activist, dandy, rogue, butler or homeless man, he was at once an enraged and bellicose poet, a political agitator and the novelist of his own greatness. The life of Eduard Limonov, like a trail of sulfur, is a ballad through the turbulent streets of Moscow and the skyscrapers of New York, from the back alleys of Paris to the heart of the gaols of Siberia during the second half of the 20th century.

Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie
Directed by Kirill Serebrennikov
Written by Kirill Serebrennikov, Ben Hopkins, Pawel Pawlikowski
Freely adapted from the novel Limonov by Emmanuel Carrère
Produced by Ardavan Safaee, Lorenzo Gangarossa, Mario Gianani, Dimitri Rassam, Ilya Stewart
Starring Ben Whishaw, Viktoria Miroshnichenko, Tomas Arana, Corrado Invernizzi, Evgeniy Mironov, Andrey Burkovskiy, Maria Mashkova, Sandrine Bonnaire, Emmanuel Carrère, Céline Sallette, Louis-Do de Lencquesaing
Director of photography : Roman Vasyanov
Editing: Yurii Karikh
Music: Massimo Pupillo
Production company: Wildside, Chapter 2, Fremantle Spain, France 3 Cinéma, Hype Studios
Distributed by Pathé (France)
Release dates: May 19, 2024 (Cannes Film Festival), December 4, 2024 (France)
Running time: 137 minutes