DTLA Film Festival 2019 – The Golden Age
May 1967. A penniless Franco-American producer meets an ambitious French theater actress in Paris. Both desperate to change the world, they decide to embark on an artistic project together, ending up in a small village in the South of France: Saint-Tropez.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Actor Jenna Suru
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I created The Golden Age for two main reasons: pay tribute to the World-Changing Charms of 60s Saint-Tropez, and encourage the audience to change the world on their own scale. First, it was very important to me that the audience can experience that magical 60s Douce France atmosphere through the music and 35 exceptional locations in LA, Paris and on the French Riviera: Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Bir-Hakeim Bridge near the Eiffel Tower, the Saint-Tropez harbor, Ramatuelle beaches, a period train, etc.
The Golden Age also suggests some ideas of how you can bring change, which is a tough journey and also often requires putting aside your personal success. The Beatles perfectly exemplify how artists managed to bring change in the 60s, for instance when they refused to perform in front of a segregated audience in Jacksonville in the USA in September 1964.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch The Golden Age because it tells a story that has never been told on the screen before. Through the story of these two young people struggling to maintain their artistic integrity, the film highlights the artistic journey and fight for change. The Golden Age is a unique way to experience 60s Saint-Tropez through a Neo New Wave eye: all locations are exceptional and revealed by a specific use of color, the magical light of this oh so famous village and refreshing use of music.
Aside from this important modern tribute, The Golden Age is also the very last drama fiction that has ever been shot around Notre-Dame Cathedral in its XIXth century form
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The Golden Age touches many universal themes: not only art and fight for change, but also feminism, which is an essential topic of the film, through the character of pioneer Angèle. The film doesn't forget to tackle some other important themes like mental health, friendship, love… The Golden Age shows how far characters are willing to go to change that world they don’t fit in, which sacrifices they are ready to make to achieve this dream.
As you watch The Golden Age, you get to be in Angèle and Sebastian’s heads and question those universal themes: « Do I feel good in this world myself? Am I ready to take action and how? ». As the movie progresses, new questions come in: « Who should I trust? » and « Can I have an impact at all? ». The Golden Age engages the audience and questions them about how far they’re willing to go or trust another person to help them fulfill a dear dream.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I have a passion for History and all the great stories that have shaped our world. In the earliest stages of development, as I was researching for the film, I started writing one of the major scenes, which happens in Angèle's house near Saint-Tropez. She discusses her artistic inspirations with Sebastian. This scene has virtually not changed ever since. I pictured it very clearly in my mind as soon as I wrote it.
As for all the other scenes, I was thrilled to see the final result of The Golden Age was so close to what I had imagined. Thanks to a lot of research, hard work and preparation, The Golden Age went through all the stages of production following my vision. It was a magical experience to see it come to life.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
An amazing one. This is the very beginning of the Festival phase for The Golden Age, which was Awarded Best Foreign Feature in Massachusetts last month. The West Coast Premiere took place on October 26th at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival at the mythical Regal LA Live and was truly magical. In particular, I was very touched to see the audience applauding so much, including during the very last seconds of the film, which reveal my tribute: "For Artists who change the World". This simply means the World to me, as this shows the audience spent a great time watching the film and is responding to that message, which is all I was hoping for.
I discussed the film on the Q&A immediately after the screening, also as a panelist on the Festival panel about Online Marketing & Distribution on the 27th. It's a great privilege to be able to discuss with the audience and hear their reactions, which really touched me not only as a Director, but also as a Writer and Actress.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I was amazed by the wonderful questions from the audience at the Premiere and was thrilled by their reactions. They were so right on the money and perfectly corresponded to The Golden Age and my vision for it.
Something surprised and amazed me, as sometimes I like to leave some interpretations of the film up to the audience. There is one of those moments that leaves it up to the audience at the end of The Golden Age, and I received the most amazing interpretation of it from one of the members of the DTLA Film Festival audience. I can't reveal it without revealing the end of the film, so I will leave it up to you to watch and tell me what you think!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm convinced that having The Golden Age more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com will help spread the word of the film and its important message! Whether you like period drama, romance, music or just French cinema, I'll love for you to be in touch and follow the film updates!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Buyers and Film Festival Directors are very important for The Golden Age, its message and unique universe must be shared internationally on all screens. Equally, I am also very thankful to journalists, who give the film a voice and spread its message. I've been lucky I've been responding to quite a few interviews both in the USA and in Europe, which are amazing opportunities for me to discuss the film with the audience and experts from the world of music, film, art, and a lot more. The more I speak about the film, the more I want to share, and I'm excited about many more interviews worldwide in the future.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'm excited for The Golden Age to be released internationally in theaters, then on TV and video. The film suggests some ways to bring change and I hope it will give hope and encourage all generations to take action, even if they don’t feel important, rich or powerful.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What sort of commitment and sacrifices are you ready to make to bring change?
Would you like to add anything else?
Music! The soundtrack of The Golden Age features titles from Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed, one of the Rolling Stones' first hits... Music holds a very special place in my heart and in The Golden Age. I loved the challenge of producing the soundtrack, which we’ve recorded in a studio near Paris even before filming. 60s Saint-Tropez can’t be recreated without music. Those who will watch the film will see how important music is, from beginning to end!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m willing to direct and act more in the future, hopefully alongside A-level actors. Working with such actors as Robert Sheehan and Rosie Day on The Bigger Picture, the first film my company Belle Époque Films has produced in 2015, was truly wonderful. I’d love to pursue directing or acting alongside such talented individuals. I keep training my body and my voice for next time I'm on set.
I’ve started writing another period drama feature, also set between France and the USA, that I’m willing to film with top-level actors. I’m also directing and lead acting in the British comedy horror Dead End, which will be filming in France in the coming months. Last but not least, I’m looking forward to the upcoming edition of Canneseries (Cannes Series Festival), which I’ve been working for since very first edition in 2018.
Interview: November 2019
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The Golden Age
May 1967. A penniless Franco-American producer meets an ambitious French theater actress in Paris. Both desperate to change the world, they decide to embark on an artistic project together, ending up in a small village in the South of France: Saint-Tropez.
Length: 1:46:50
Director: Jenna Suru
Producer: Jenna Suru
Writer: Jenna Suru
About the writer, director and producer:
JENNA SURU established Belle Époque Films in January 2015. Co-Producer of The Bigger Picture, starring Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy, Misfits) and Rosie Day (Outlander), she directed and produced her debut feature film The Golden Age with an international cast, 35 exceptional locations and an outstanding soundtrack. She has worked for Canneseries (Cannes Series Festival) since the very first edition in 2018.
Key cast: Jenna Suru (Angèle Devaux), Sébastien Cipolla (Sebastian Davis)
Looking for: journalists, buyers, film festival directors
Facebook: L'Âge d'or
Twitter: @lagedorfilm
Instagram: @lagedorfilm
Hashtags used: #perioddrama #frenchcinema #sainttropezaddict #sweetsixties #sixtiesmusic #changetheworld #bringchange
Website: www.belleepoquefilms.com
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Belle Époque Films (one and only Producer)