To celebrate the release of The Balconettes, which is in US cinemas this weekend, we had the pleasure of sitting down with star/writer/director Noémie Merlant and co-star Sanda Codreanu to find out more.
During a blistering Marseille heatwave, three roommates—Ruby, Nicole, and Élise—spend their days watching the world from their balcony. When they accept an invitation from a handsome neighbour, their night takes a shocking and surreal turn involving assault, death, ghosts, and an exploration of trauma and solidarity. Souheila Yacoub and Lucas Bravo co-star.
Merlant (Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Tár), who co-wrote the film, directed it and stars in it, and Codreanu discuss their bold new film, a genre-defying mix of horror, comedy, and feminist catharsis.
From confronting trauma and violence on screen to the challenges of women directing in a male-dominated genre, this conversation is raw, funny, and deeply moving. Noémie talks about escaping trauma and transforming it into art, the power of mixing horror & comedy for true catharsis, Feminism, violence & why risky films matter more than ever.
Sanda on friendship, collaboration, and trust on set and how audiences around the world reacted differently – for good and bad reasons. And much more.
You can watch the extended interview below:
The Balconettes is in select US cinemas on August 22nd. A UK release date is TBC.
