Kristen Stewart Discusses Directorial Debut Amid Hollywood’s Uncertain Future

CANNES, France — Kristen Stewart, known for her role as Bella Swan in the “Twilight” series, is making her directorial debut with “The Chronology of Water” at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. In recent interviews, the 35-year-old actress expressed her concerns about the current state of Hollywood, describing it as a dark place. “I think we’re all looking over our shoulders going, ‘Holy shit.’ The slippage is just terrifying,” Stewart said.

Stewart made a name for herself in Hollywood over her 20-plus years in the industry but took a turn towards independent films after working on Disney’s “Snow White and the Huntsman” in 2012. She has since starred in films like “Personal Shopper” and “Spencer,” the latter earning her an Oscar nomination. Returning to Cannes, Stewart, who once presided over the Feature Films jury, is now stepping behind the camera.

Her directorial project is based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, which Stewart felt compelled to adapt after reading it. “I just went, ‘Oh, fuck. We need to put this on its feet so we can do it all together,'” she said. Stewart collaborated with British actors Imogen Poots and Earl Cave for the film, aiming to tell a story of tragedy and empowerment.

“I cannot believe it. We barely finished this movie. It’s not even done. This is my fucking first draft,” Stewart remarked about presenting her film at Cannes. Despite the unfinished nature of the project, she conveyed her excitement about participating in the festival.

Stewart’s embrace of mistakes during the filmmaking process reflects her candid nature. She mentioned, “Mistakes are fucking hot,” suggesting that imperfection is part of the artistic journey. Her aspirations for the film are significant; she envisions it as a work that inspires understanding and healing.

Reflecting on her career, Stewart shared that she has always wanted to direct and credits experiences from her acting career as instrumental in shaping her directorial voice. She expressed hopes that “The Chronology of Water” resonates with audiences, despite acknowledging that not everyone may connect with it.

With plans for more films to come, Stewart stated, “I’m planning on making 10 movies in the next five minutes.” As she navigates her new role, she remains determined to confront the challenges of the industry head-on, urging fellow filmmakers to “stay vigilant, look alive.”