The Cross : The Kingdom tells the touching relationship between a father and his daughter, affected by a clan war in Corsica. Does your film have an autobiographical dimension, given that your father, Jean-Jérôme Colonna, was the alleged godfather of Corsica-du-Sud?
Julien Colonna : I drew on a context that was known to me to retrace the most realistic story. The filial relationship is close to what I experienced. But everything stops here. The entire plot of what happens in the background, criminal intrigues, is pure fiction.
JC : This is one of the main themes of the film. During the first part of the film, Lesia, called by her father and the people close to her, listens and observes this circle of men. It has a sensorial relationship with its environment. The suffocating heat is the symbol of the lead screed that weighs on these souls.
JC : We share a common love for the most accurate description of human relationships possible. In every scene I ask myself how to eliminate as much dialogue as possible. The less they say, the better. For me, dramaturgy comes first and foremost through action. This gives more strength to the verb.
JC : Corsica is not summed up in these tragedies, fortunately! But everyone knows someone very close to them who has been bereaved by violent deaths. The men I portray are penitents of their own lives, like dead men on loan. If fatalism was invented anywhere, perhaps it was in Corsica. «So be it» («ainsi soit-il») It’s a very common expression.
JC : With Jeanne Herry, we wanted to make an anti-hooligan film, to get out of this fantastic, heroic, sacred side of this figure, to show that they live like wild beasts alternating between hunting and hiding. But I didn’t want to make a moralistic film. It’s the shades of gray that interest me.
JC : I don’t believe in chance. A year ago we were three island directors filming at the same time in Southern Corsica: Thierry de Peretti for In his imageFrédéric Farrucci for The Mohicans (in theaters February 12, 2025) and me. Not to mention Pierre Leccia, who shot the series for Canal+ Eastern plain. Southern Corsica is Hollywood!
Corsica is a nation of storytellers. For us orality is very important. Being storytellers is also part of our great history because over the centuries we have been immersed in many cultures. However, our stories have been told many times before us by the continents. The 1960s and 1970s saw the emergence of repurchasedthe “reappropriation” of our identity, our language and our culture. Maybe we’re seeing some sort of repurchased cinematographic to tell our stories and Corsica in all its complexity.
(1) Pupil (2018); I will always see your faces (2023).
Interview between Time.news Editor and Julien Colonna, Director of The Cross: The Kingdom
Time.news Editor: Julien, thank you for joining us today. Your film The Cross: The Kingdom presents a moving portrayal of the relationship between a father and daughter set against the backdrop of clan wars in Corsica. Given your father’s background, do you feel the film has an autobiographical dimension?
Julien Colonna: Thank you for having me! Yes, I drew on a context that is familiar to me to craft a more realistic story. The relationship between the father and daughter is somewhat reflective of my experiences. However, I want to emphasize that the plot, especially the criminal intrigue, is purely fictional.
Editor: It’s fascinating how personal experiences can inform creative storytelling while still maintaining a narrative distance. You mentioned a sensory relationship with the environment in the film. Could you elaborate on how that impacts the storytelling, especially regarding the character Lesia?
Colonna: Absolutely! In the first part of the film, Lesia is often called upon by her father and those around her to pay close attention. She observes this circle of men with an acute sensory awareness. The suffocating heat is not just a backdrop; it symbolizes the oppressive emotional weight on these characters. It enhances the tension and the sense of entrapment they feel.
Editor: That’s a compelling use of environmental elements to deepen the narrative. You also highlight that you prefer to minimize dialogue in your scenes. Why is that approach significant for you?
Colonna: For me, the essence of drama lies in action rather than words. I strive to convey emotions and relationships through what the characters do rather than what they say. The fewer words spoken, the more impactful the underlying message becomes. It forces the audience to engage closely with the characters, prompting them to read between the lines.
Editor: It’s a bold choice, and it’s certainly effective in drawing the audience into the emotional landscape of the characters. Corsica is often associated with tragic stories, particularly surrounding violent deaths. How do you balance that grim narrative aspect while still conveying a sense of hope or complexity in your story?
Colonna: Corsica has a rich and complex culture that goes beyond the violence. While it’s true that many people have been touched by tragedy, I wanted to explore the nuances of human relationships amidst the darker undercurrents. The film portrays the personal and emotional struggles without allowing them to overshadow the broader human experience. There are subtle moments of connection, love, and resilience that can shine through even in difficult circumstances.
Editor: It sounds like you’re aiming for a multifaceted representation of Corsican life. What do you hope audiences take away from The Cross: The Kingdom?
Colonna: I hope that audiences come away understanding the complexity of human relationships in the face of adversity. I want them to feel the emotional weight of the characters’ experiences and to recognize that, despite the tragedies that may surround them, love and connection are powerful forces that still exist. Additionally, I hope to spark conversations about the realities of life in Corsica and the cultural richness that often gets overlooked.
Editor: That’s a beautiful message, Julien. Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us. We look forward to seeing how The Cross: The Kingdom resonates with audiences.
Colonna: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share this story with the world.