Interview: Sitting Down Back at TIFF to Discuss ‘The Substance’ with Coralie Fargeat

Coralie Fargeat treated The Substance as if it was the last film she’d ever make. When you see it, you’ll understand. Ever since I saw the movie back in August, I’ve been eager to find out how more folks would feel about it. For me, it’s phenomenally well done, while also being about as out there an experience as it gets. So, naturally I was interested in speaking with the auteur who made it happen. While I was up at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, time was made for Fargeat and I to get together and meet. Ironically, I didn’t initially realize it was an interview, as opposed to just a quick hello. So, I pretty much winged this chat. Today, it comes your way, as the flick enters theaters.

In my review of The Substance (here), I said the following about Fargeat’s work:

Filmmaker Coralie Fargeat writes and directs this picture fearlessly. No one else is making feminist body horror, so kudos to her for not just conceiving of the idea, but executing it so well. First and foremost, opting to cast separate actresses is not a welcome old-school move, but exactly what the film needed. The Substance would have missed its own point by not having someone like Moore and someone like Qualley sharing the role. CGI-ing either one of them simply would not have worked. Fargeat hammers the points home without a ton of subtlety, but that’s the point. This is how the world treats Elisabeth, of course. The script never forgets that, while Fargeat’s direction leans in. Plus, she has a wonderful handle on gore, going harder than you’ll ever expect. If you’re not covering your eyes at some point, she’s not doing her job.

Below, you can hear my chat with Fargeat. As mentioned, this was sort of an impromptu conversation during TIFF, so it’s fairly informal. Imagine us on the couch in her hotel suite, her shoes kicked off, coffee on the table. I’m obviously fascinated by the film and I hope it comes off in the discussion. She was eager to have more audiences experience the movie, which is truly something. Now that The Substance has hit theaters, you can engage with it as well, and I hope you do. There’s really nothing else like it out there…

Here now is my interview with The Substance filmmaker Coralie Fargeat. Enjoy:

The Substance is in theaters right now!