PRESS CONFERENCE – Bennett Miller: “Style isn’t a way of telling a story, but a way of observing it”

Bennett Miller and his team spoke to the assembled journalists about the film Foxcatcher, presented on Monday 19th May in Competition. A film which explores the inner depths of a much-publicised true story

Bennett Miller on his thematic approach: “When I first got to know this story, I knew that there were messages in it that went beyond the story itself, and had something to say about us and our country. it’s not a political film, it’s a film that tries to understand certain phenomena, such as decline. We used a microscope to looked at the inside of the story. You can understand the universe by using a telescope, but also at times by using a microscope.”

Channing Tatum on his role: “The preparation was intense. We practised wrestling for six months before the shoot and I was coached by Mark Schultz. it was great to have him on set but it also terrified me.”

Mark Ruffalo on preparing for his role: “We explored the characters with the people who lived through this story. We were a little bit like journalists seeking out facts in order to understand.”

Steve Carell on the film: “The film was exactly what Bennett had described to us at the beginning. We sometimes took detours but the film perfectly reflects the script.”

And on his approach to the role: “I approached this tragic role in the same way as for a comedy because characters are never aware there in a comedy or tragedy. I approached this film just like a story.”

Reported by  Camille Périssé