PHOTO FINISH: Dior feted Canadian director Xavier Dolan with a cocktail held at its Avenue Montaigne boutique to celebrate his “A Friendship Through Film” book.
The very thick photo book immortalizes the anniversary of his hit movie “Mommy,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival a decade ago. The young director took home the coveted Jury Prize that year, which propelled him into the stratosphere.
The book features hundreds of never-before-seen photographs taken by longtime collaborator Shayne Laverdière, who was on hand for the singing, alongside the film’s star Anne Dorval. Guests including French actor Finnegan Oldfield, ballet dancer Germain Louvet and Paris Olympics opening and closing ceremonies artistic director Thomas Jolly joined to toast the star in the second-floor reception space of the store.
Germain Louvet
Valentin Lecron / Courtesy of Dior
WWD chatted with Dolan about the book:
WWD: Four hundred eighty pages suggests that you and the photographer had a wealth of images to work with for the book. How did you and Shayne select the final images?
Xavier Dolan: I started browsing and selecting the images at the beginning of the pandemic. There were more than 3,000. Shayne’s eye and style had to be put forth. I selected the images and designed the book and Shayne, later in the process, came home and we graded all of the pictures together.
WWD: What overarching story or message were you trying to convey with the book?
X.D.: That artists can influence and inspire each other through their work. I would have never wanted to publish a book of photos of a film I made if they were mere set stills. I respect Shayne’s work and thought it was worth celebrating.
WWD: How did you conceive of the translucent pink cover and why?
X.D.: I’ve always loved books. Nice objects. I wanted to add a touch of softness and artistry to envelop the document. It felt thick and kind of nude, or ungenerous without a sleeve…
WWD: You said you were inspired to create the book during the pandemic. What were you feeling in those days? How did the idea of the book come to you? What did the idea of creating the book mean to you during that time?
X.D.: I felt lonely. I felt the need to go back to happier, easier times. And I knew these pictures taken by Shayne existed, had to be seen, examined. My intention was to present a different angle on the film’s production, and to share a photographer’s vision.
WWD: The book was launched to celebrate the 10th anniversary of “Mommy.” What does that milestone represent for you?
X.D.: A lot. It was, in a way, the beginning of an incredible thing. But also the end of another.
WWD: You have announced a hiatus from directing. Does revisiting “Mommy” through the book make you nostalgic for directing? Any news on next projects?
X.D.: I’m always “nostalgic for directing.” It is my favorite thing on earth. Directing. Creating. Whatever it is. But…making a book, directing a commercial, decorating a house.…As long as I get to create, and make, and fabricate, I’ll be happy and fulfilled.
WWD: You have worked with Dior for a few years; how did you conceive of this event during the holiday season at the store?
X.D.: Dior’s generosity toward me has known few, if any, limits in recent years. This gesture confirms their will to support artists, and fashion’s dedication to give creators more freedom and autonomy.
