Adam, 15 years old, has a… special physique. Indeed, with each derogatory comment aimed at one’s appearance, it changes accordingly. Bullied at school, Adam takes it without flinching. At home, the adolescent seems to exist on the periphery of his family, and not really a part of it. Since childhood, Adam has tended to escape, into his imagination, into films. However, the summer that is beginning could prove decisive. First job, first responsibilities… first love? With Adam is slowly changingJoël Vaudreuil offers a feature-length animated film whose exemplary sobriety is matched only by its admirable acuity.
“Basically, there was a fantasy of form and rhythm; the fantasy of a film that I would have liked to see as a spectator,” confides Joël Vaudreuil in an interview.
“When I sat down to write this film, my first intention was to write about the feeling ofawkwardness”, of “mal-adaptation”, linked to adolescence. All those moments when things happen to you that you don’t know how to handle, because you don’t yet have the required emotional baggage… I wanted to write about this emotion that the protagonist experiences, and make the audience feel it. »
The filmmaker continues: “It’s not the typical adolescent coming-of-age story, where the quest boils down to losing your virginity before the end of the summer; we’re not in there at all. I wrote each scene based on the emotion Adam felt. »
Adam who displays astonishing serenity in the face of adversity…
“Yes, it was important to me that he had this kind of… emotional maturity. He takes it and doesn’t act like a victim. Furthermore, I found it interesting that the sources of torment and comfort were unusual. Hence this unhealthy relationship with the grandmother, who makes hurtful remarks to her, and this appeasement found with a cat without legs. And in all of this, Adam manages to solidify his relationship with his sister, to have fun with his friend… “
Speaking of “ fun “, make no mistake: Adam is slowly changing moves, but also entertains.
“I envisioned from the start a calm tone, and a humor between sadness and fun. »
Multiple readings
As for the central concept, namely this adolescent whose body changes not because of puberty but because of the taunts of others, it manifested itself organically, during cogitations. This is because Joël Vaudreuil’s filmography is punctuated by such fanciful biases.
“In my past short films, there is always an element of the supernatural and physical transformation. For example, in one of my short [La vie magnifique sous l’eau], it’s a look at a working-class neighborhood, but as if it were a marine documentary: the people I watch live are shown as different aquatic species. »
The level of interest in the behaviors observed increases through this poetic anthropomorphism. In Adam is slowly changinghumans remain human, but the body of the young protagonist is constantly changing without those around him being surprised.
Knowing this, several readings are possible: Adam’s appearance really transforms, or it corresponds to the image he has of himself, or, again, it reflects the perception that others have of him. him.
“I wanted to not provide a definitive explanation of the phenomenon,” confirms the filmmaker. There are several interpretations. I wanted people to be able to formulate their own hypotheses. I have friends who have seen the film several times and who have told me that each time they have had a different understanding of the film: that really makes me happy. »
Stripped down, the bill is no less rich in significant elements on a symbolic level. Thus these solid backgrounds, among other examples, have a function beyond simple graphic preference.
“In my short films, I have always drawn my own backgrounds, favoring minimalism — minimalism touches me in art. Like, a horizon line and a single decorative element to situate the action. But for my first feature film, I preferred to further develop the backgrounds in order, in particular, to maintain attention. To do this, I called on some great collaborators: Isabelle Guimond and Carolyne Scenna, two visual artists who normally don’t work in animation. In the same way, as a screenwriting advisor, I asked Fabien Cloutier, because with his plays, I knew he would understand my type of humor without me having to explain myself each time. meeting of production. His theatrical point of view on my cinematic narration interested me. In fact, I found it important to surround myself with people who don’t work in the same field as me. »
This is to encourage creative thinking outside the proverbial box, rather than in isolation.
Find beauty
Without forgetting the essential contribution of the actresses and actors, who lend their voices to the different characters: Noémie O’Farrell, Sophie Desmarais, Marc Beaupré, Sophie Cadieux, Gaston Lepage… In the title role, Simon Lacroix is fabulous in his sweetness and interiority.
“The finished film is very close to the vision I had at the start. On the other hand, I had not measured to what extent the vocal performances would enrich it. But you know, each member of the team went beyond their task, beyond their mandate. We were a small team, around fifteen people, each of whom did more than what was asked, with enthusiasm, so that this film could exist. »
The result is a wonderfully unusual and atypical production, like its young hero. To conclude Joël Vaudreuil:
“It’s a film about accepting the fact that, in life, almost nothing works out the way we want it to, but that in the end, sometimes it’s good. It’s an ode that reminds us that in what is supposedly ugly, we can always find beauty, if we take the trouble to look. »