Alex Lutz Brings ‘Connemara’ to the American French Film Festival: A Romantic Journey of Self-Discovery
This weekend, acclaimed actor and director Alex Lutz arrives in Los Angeles for the highly anticipated North American premiere of his romantic drama, Connemara, at The American French Film Festival (TAFFF) on Saturday night. Following the screening, Lutz will engage in an insightful onstage conversation, sharing his creative process and the film’s themes.
Connemara, which premiered at Cannes in May, marks Lutz’s fourth solo directorial project. With over 60 acting credits, including his notable role as Pierre Bergé in Hulu’s Becoming Karl Lagerfeld and a César-winning performance in Guy, Lutz has established himself as a versatile talent in both acting and directing.
In Connemara, the talented Mélanie Thierry, known for her roles in The Zero Theorem and Da 5 Bloods, portrays Hélène, a weary executive who returns to her unremarkable childhood town in the Vosges region of northeastern France. Here, she reconnects with her childhood friend Christophe, played by Bastien Bouillon. Christophe, a former local ice hockey champion, now navigates the challenges of single fatherhood while caring for his aging father.
Lutz adapted this poignant story from Nicolas Mathieu’s 2022 novel of the same name, which explores complex themes of time, belonging, and the struggles of returning to one’s roots after achieving success in a bustling city. Lutz explains, “This story is darker than a traditional romance, delving into what it means to leave a small town and the emotional turmoil of returning after finding success elsewhere.”
Hélène’s journey illustrates the pressures of balancing a high-powered career in Paris with the demands of family life. Lutz describes her as “the girl next door” who, after achieving professional success and creating a seemingly perfect life, faces a significant burnout in her 40s.
The film’s setting—a peri-urban landscape that blends residential and commercial zones—also intrigued Lutz. He notes, “These areas exist throughout Europe, showcasing a mix of convenience and underlying social struggles.”
Working closely with co-writers Amélia Guyader and Hadrien Bichet, Lutz meticulously crafted the screenplay through a collaborative process that involved dissecting the novel and building a compelling narrative structure. “We treated the screenplay like a skeleton of the novel, stripping away layers to reveal its core,” he shares.
Casting was a thoughtful endeavor for Lutz, who had been following Bouillon’s career since his breakout role in The Night Of The 12th. “I wanted to avoid stereotypes and instead sought a character that embodied energy and elegance. Bastien brought all these qualities to the role,” he reveals. In selecting Thierry, Lutz appreciated her ability to convey the character’s grit and depth, steering clear of clichés often found in portrayals of women in high-pressure careers.
Connemara is Lutz’s first feature as a director without acting alongside the cast, although his extensive experience in theater has prepared him for this role. “Directing without acting is not new to me. I’ve directed numerous theater projects independently,” he says, reflecting on his journey in the performing arts since founding his theater company, Le Coût de la pomme, in 1996.
While Lutz enjoys both acting and directing, he finds joy in blending the two. “It can be challenging, but I love the creative process that comes with both roles,” he admits. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia in childhood, he continues to embrace writing, viewing it as a fulfilling yet daunting task.
Recently, Lutz has expanded his creative horizons by co-founding the production company Grands Ducs Films with Bichet and Thomas Santucci, in partnership with Studiocanal. Their upcoming projects include a TV drama series centered around two unlikely characters who must navigate unexpected circumstances together.
Audiences can also look forward to seeing Lutz in Isabelle Carré’s Les Rêveurs, a film about a woman who finds healing through theater, set to hit French cinemas on November 12.
Join Alex Lutz this weekend at TAFFF for the premiere of Connemara, and discover a heartfelt exploration of connection, ambition, and the complexities of returning home.
