Where the story came from
Having lived and worked as an Au Pair in France for 4 months, I know what it's like to work for a foreign family and slowly get to know each other whilst having lots of misunderstandings and misguided opinions. I wanted to create a protagonist that I could personally relate to on more of a literal level.
Sally is a mixture of a few children I have taken care of in my life that have somehow inspired me or taught me something about myself. Her character is almost a replica of the way Marie was as a child, which is what subconsciously bound their hearts together from the very first moment. There is something I find extremely powerful about children in films, I find they add a whole other dimension to cinema that can be explored and nourished.
Alicia is equally a mixture of people I know, however her character is a tool to explore what it is like when a person has everything in front of them, but pushes themselves away and then cannot find a way back because jealousy and negative thoughts have filled the gap. Alicia finds solace in her craft and candles, and this is where we see her delicate and warm side. I wanted to make Alicia quite complex and a bit unreadable because it is common for people to become so self-driven these days that they lose sight of what they have. It's easier for us to bury ourselves in our hobbies, but when the problem is staring us in the face, it's only a matter of time before we have to acknowledge it. Ironically, Alicia's metier links to Marie's past without her knowing, and it is through these discoveries around fire and loss that a light is shone onto Alicia's own personal obstacles, where she is forced to try and overcome them.
Jonathan is the dad that loves everyone, and everyone loves him back. He knows how to communicate his point, but in a tactful and honest way that challenges others to really consider their own opinions.
I see the film as being a delicate portrayal of how one's history can stay with them despite them wanting to move on, ultimately playing a large role in the way they live their lives. I want to show how people need each other, and we go into each other's lives for a reason.
Sally is a mixture of a few children I have taken care of in my life that have somehow inspired me or taught me something about myself. Her character is almost a replica of the way Marie was as a child, which is what subconsciously bound their hearts together from the very first moment. There is something I find extremely powerful about children in films, I find they add a whole other dimension to cinema that can be explored and nourished.
Alicia is equally a mixture of people I know, however her character is a tool to explore what it is like when a person has everything in front of them, but pushes themselves away and then cannot find a way back because jealousy and negative thoughts have filled the gap. Alicia finds solace in her craft and candles, and this is where we see her delicate and warm side. I wanted to make Alicia quite complex and a bit unreadable because it is common for people to become so self-driven these days that they lose sight of what they have. It's easier for us to bury ourselves in our hobbies, but when the problem is staring us in the face, it's only a matter of time before we have to acknowledge it. Ironically, Alicia's metier links to Marie's past without her knowing, and it is through these discoveries around fire and loss that a light is shone onto Alicia's own personal obstacles, where she is forced to try and overcome them.
Jonathan is the dad that loves everyone, and everyone loves him back. He knows how to communicate his point, but in a tactful and honest way that challenges others to really consider their own opinions.
I see the film as being a delicate portrayal of how one's history can stay with them despite them wanting to move on, ultimately playing a large role in the way they live their lives. I want to show how people need each other, and we go into each other's lives for a reason.