Issued on: 07/09/2022 – 17:56Modified: 07/09/2022 – 17:54
Venice (AFP) – Hugh Jackman says playing the role of the father of a depressed teenager in “The Son,” which opens Wednesday in Venice, made him rethink his entire approach to parenting.
The Australian star says he had a “burning fire” urge to play the part after reading the stage version by writer-director Florian Zeller.
Jackman stars opposite Laura Dern as divorced parents trying to cope with a teenage son sinking deeper into depression.
“It was a compulsion… it’s a beautiful and scary feeling that you rarely have as an actor, that you feel like the role is right for you at this point in your life and you just have to play it,” he said. reporters in Venice, where the film is competing for the top Golden Lion award.
What she didn’t expect is how the film’s devastating insight into mental health would change her own relationship with her children.
“For many years as a father, the job was to appear strong and confident,” he said.
“But…since this movie, I’ve changed my approach. I share more of my vulnerabilities with my 17-year-old and 22-year-old sons, and I see the relief when I do.”
Jackman said he made the rare decision to email Zeller to request the part in person.
Zeller, who won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for his first film “The Father,” said he agreed after just eight minutes on a Zoom call with Jackman.
“I felt something very strongly about why it was connected to that story,” Zeller said.
“It was the best decision of my life because from that moment on it was such a joyful, truthful and intense journey that we have shared.”
‘The biggest crisis’
Dern said the film conveyed a particularly vital message in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The biggest crisis that has gone through this time is the mental health epidemic, particularly in adolescents and young adults around the world. The numbers are so staggering,” he said.
Although the teen, played by newcomer Zen McGrath, blames his parents’ divorce for his struggles, Zeller said mental health issues are “much harder to explain.”
#Photo 1
“My intention was not to try to explain where it came from,” he said.
“It was important to me to capture that mystery…the frustration that comes from wanting to help someone and not knowing where it’s coming from.”
There are moments of slight relief in the film, especially one that features some dancing from Jackman’s dad.
The actor said he tried to practice some embarrassing moves on his daughter, who assured him, “Dad, you don’t need to rehearse.”
© 2022 AFP
