Canadian Director Explores Death in “Veins” at Tallinn Festival
Canadian director Raymond St-Jean has unveiled his latest film, Veins, at the prestigious Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on November 27, 2023. The body horror thriller explores the unsettling theme of mortality and the emotional complexities that arise from it.
The film follows Isabelle, played by Romane Denis, who travels to the nearly deserted town of Saint-Étienne with her girlfriend to visit her parents. Upon arrival, Isabelle receives shocking news: her father has recently died and been buried without her knowledge. As she grapples with her grief, Isabelle seeks answers from her mother and uncle, but their vague responses leave her even more troubled.
During a question-and-answer session following the premiere, St-Jean addressed the influence of fellow Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, often regarded as the father of body horror. “While it’s impossible to ignore him, we didn’t consciously think about Cronenberg while making this film,” St-Jean explained. He shared that he was initially too young to watch Cronenberg’s films and only later developed an appreciation for them.
Despite acknowledging Cronenberg’s impact on cinema, St-Jean confessed, “I’m not a big fan of body horror movies as a spectator, but it’s fun to do.” He noted that creating body horror provides a unique opportunity to evoke strong emotional responses from viewers, something he finds compelling as a director. “Watching body horror tends to make audiences uncomfortable. That’s the nature of the genre,” he said.
St-Jean elaborated on the genre’s effectiveness, suggesting it can elicit feelings that other forms of storytelling may struggle to achieve. “Only in cinema can you create that feeling. It’s very troubling, and I think that’s the function of it,” he stated.
The director also mentioned that Veins is part of a recent wave of body horror films, including Titane and The Substance, which aim to blend drama with elements of realism. “It’s also a poetic movie,” St-Jean added, emphasizing its deeper thematic explorations.
In addition to its narrative, the film addresses pressing social issues relevant to Quebec and Canada, such as assisted dying and the impact of industry shutdowns on communities. “A lot of what we discuss in the film reflects current conversations happening in our regions,” he noted.
St-Jean concluded by highlighting the significance of Veins as a groundbreaking project in Quebec, stating, “We’re breaking ground at home.” The film has already garnered attention for its unique perspective within the body horror genre, paving the way for future explorations of similar themes.
With its world premiere successfully behind it, Veins stands as a testament to St-Jean’s creative vision and the evolving landscape of cinema in Canada.
