After summer of love.

It’s not a spoiler, we all know that the summer of love can’t happen without heartbreak. Especially if it’s a queer love. The opening screening of the first Q-Space festival in Tallinn was the touching adaptation of Philippe Besson's French bestseller “Lie with me”. The film by Olivier Peyon tells the story of a successful novelist who returns to his hometown. A meeting with the son of his first love causes him to plunge into his memories. Julien De Saint Jean and Jérémy Gillet, who played the young lovers, could muster up a whole lake of tears during all the screenings they attended. Anton Isiukov talked to the up-and-coming actors about working on the movie, explicit scenes and inner saboteurs.

Guys, you have visited many festivals over the past few years presenting “Lie With Me”. It seems that here in Tallinn it is going to be the last chapter of showing this film to the world. Do these meetings with the audience still feel like your very first premiere?

Julien De Saint Jean: It was in 2022 at the Angoulême Film Festival in France where we premiered the film. It was the first time I had ever made a film for cinema, so it was an entirely new experience. I remember feeling incredibly stressed and shaky. Surprisingly, the festival director considered our film as his favorite, leading to a special screening. However, it was an immensely emotional moment for everyone involved. The filming held great significance for us, including the director Olivier Peyon and the main actors. We sensed it was a special project from the beginning, and despite the stress, we were genuinely happy to create and share it with the audience. I believe we succeeded in doing that.

Jérémy Gillet: I remember even Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, was present. I think she is actually a friend of Philippe Besson, the author of the novel this movie is based on. It was so disturbing, impressive, weird, and cool at the same time. Out of all the premieres we've had we gained a lot of confidence, not only in ourselves, but in talking about this movie. We know how to defend it if needed and what to say to make people enjoy listening to little stories about the movie and the shootings. It's weird to be here in Estonia talking about it nearly two years later, but at the same time, it's beautiful because it keeps the movie alive.

Can the audience still surprise you with their reaction even after all those screenings? 

Jérémy: We've had various reactions at different premieres when we came on stage for the Q&As. Sometimes the whole room would be very quiet because the movie needs to be processed. We've also had many personal stories shared with us. People would say, "This is my story too. It's incredible." Even those who had read the book weren't disappointed because the movie is both similar and different in a good way. Of course, there are always people who don't like the original or don't like the movie, and we're actually glad for that. A movie that everyone loves can be suspicious. But even those who didn't like it admitted that it was a good adaptation at least.

I have to admit I was the one who was touched by the movie even more.

Julien: The director, Olivier Payon, and the author Philippe Besson had a good connection. Many people wanted to adapt this book into a film because it was very successful. Olivier wanted to focus more on the present. He believed that what made this story unique was the relationship between Stéphane Belcourt and the son of his ex-lover, rather than focusing on young love. Philippe Besson said: "Betray me because the best betrayal might make the best adaptation". And that turned out to be true. When I first read the screenplay, I was really worried that those people who had read the book would be disappointed. I was scared because I truly loved the book. When I passed the audition and after that read the book, I cried at the end because the story touched me deeply. But when I read the screenplay, I felt like I won't be able to fully capture what I had read in the book. I thought people would hate it because it was so different. As a reader, I didn't think I would be a good Thomas Andrieu. Even Olivier Peyon said that I wasn't the Thomas he was expecting. At first, they wanted someone who could look more like from the countryside, rougher, more masculine and taller. It took some time for me, even during filming, to distance myself from the book. Because in every scene, I would think, "Okay, Thomas does this." But then, Jérémy told me that now Thomas is me. I knew the book by heart, so I should’ve just gone with my feelings and be the character. I needed to stop having that impostor syndrome. 

Jérémy: It's not interesting if it's exactly the same character. People agree that the adaptation is quite different from the book while still having the same energy, mood and theme. 

I had a few trigger moments in “Lie with me”. First of all, with the forbidden school love. Even though I have never had such an experience. But most of all I thought about some of my acquaintances who stayed behind to live in the Russian countryside and how hard it is to be out there if you dream bigger or if you're queer. You both come from the countryside. How was it growing up there?

Julien: I really enjoyed the countryside. But I always dreamt of going to the big city. So when I arrived in Paris to attend theater schools I was extremely happy. I thought that everything was possible. Culturally, I felt that I could truly express how I was feeling. In the movie they say that staying in that small town can bring suffering because you're different. It can be about homosexuality or just how you choose to express yourself. 

Jérémy: … Not being what people expect you to be. That applies to everything.

The main character Stéphane Belcourt is an older version of your character, Jérémy, but we never see Thomas grow up. If you fantasise a bit, what would he be like 35 years later?

Jérémy: Actually I've never really wondered about that. It would be interesting to explore. In the movie, Thomas looks quite different from his son Lucas Andrieu, who is portrayed by Victor Belmondo.

Julien: In the book, Lucas is supposed to look the same as his father. With Victor, we don't resemble each other. But normally in the book, when Stéphane and Lucas meet for the first time, Stéphane thinks that he sees his young love Thomas. 

When I watched “Lie with Me” and saw the sex scenes, which were quite steamy, I thought about asking how it was working with an intimacy coordinator. But then I read in some of your interviews that you didn't have one and that the first sex scene was filmed on the first day. I see it quite often that actors start with those scenes. For example, Kate Winslet had the scene where she is posing for Leonardo Di Caprio completely naked on the first day on the set of “Titanic”. Is that the director’s challenge for actors?

Jérémy: It's usually done this way. It's just to break the ice? It's a way to immediately create a connection. So it's better to get it done on the first day.

Julien: It's important to note that we only shot the movie in seven days. 

Jérémy: Actually nine days.

Julien: Right! During the very first days, we had the sex scenes, the first encounter, the lake scenes, and so on. Our director told us we could start all the shootings with the last scene of the movie. But I asked Jérémy and Olivier if we could do that one first because, for me, it was the first encounter in the story, and I felt it would work best. The nervousness and fragility of our connection would add to the authenticity of the characters. 

Jérémy: Even though we had been hanging out together for three months. While waiting for the beginning of the shootings, we became friends. We partied together and had a lot of common friends, so we were able to break through the initial shyness.

Julien: You know, when you don't know someone, you get stressed about them. But in our case, we knew each other, so it was better. We also had rehearsals and discussed references from other movies and how we wanted to shoot the sex scenes in a safe way. When we arrived on set, the director told everyone who wasn't necessary to leave the scene for us to have a sense of intimacy. In the end, it was just about choreography. Even when I watched the film for the first time, I was more shocked or impressed by what we had done than by actually shooting it. 

Jérémy, you received an Emmy award for the Best short series called “A Very Ordinary World”. How did it feel? 

Jérémy: I feel genuinely grateful, but it doesn't change anything. If it does have an impact on the show, I'm truly glad.

I guess, more people will have the opportunity to see it.

Jérémy: I believe the show will be broadcast in more countries. So far, it has only been in France. It's truly an honor to be a part of only the fourth show from France to receive an Emmy award. 

What do you think has been the biggest and most challenging role for both of you so far?

Jérémy: This summer I completed a show where I portrayed Louis XIII, the King of France, who was known for his stuttering. Consequently, I had to incorporate stuttering into every sentence of every scene. It was quite a demanding experience both physically and mentally. To prepare for this role, I underwent falconry and horse riding courses. The preparation spanned an entire year. Now when it's done, I consider this as the most significant acting challenge I have ever faced. I hope that the outcome will be exceptional, although I haven't seen any footage yet. 

Yes, I know what filming looks like. It tends to be devoid of any romantic vibe. Just business. 

Jérémy: We were lucky not to need an intimacy coordinator. That's not the case on every set. 

Julien: Yeah, Olivier asked us once if we wanted one. But Jérémy and I felt that we were on the same page - together and with the director. We knew our intentions, how we wanted to portray ourselves, and we had already talked about it. So for us, an intimacy coordinator wasn't necessary. Moreover in the contract, there's always a clause that says if the edited sex scene shows something we didn't agree to, like exposing body parts we didn't want to show, they will cut it. We had a say in it even three months after the shooting.

The relationship between your characters develops in the year 1984. Another film that explores the love between two young boys, directed by François Ozon, is "Summer of 85". Additionally, there is the film "Call Me by Your Name," set in 1983.  Why do you think the summer of the 80s holds such popularity in European queer cinema? 

Jérémy: Well, it's people’s memories. It's the time that the people making movies right now were living in. It was their time, their youth. In 30 years, it will be something like “Summer of 2012”. 

You were born after these events took place. Were you intrigued by the opportunity to dive deep in the vibrant atmosphere of the 80s?

Julien: It's always fascinating when you wear costumes and sets that represent that era. When you're on set, you're in a totally different atmosphere and you immerse yourself in it. You feel like you've teleported to a different time. When we filmed the scene in the high school so many kids were dressed in different 80s styles. It was really cool and it helped us create the characters and the vibe of the movie. I even remember the poster in the room of Jérémy’s character with the famous French singer Jean-Jacques Goldman. He was really famous back then and we still listen to his music. 

Jérémy: I don't know why it's so glamorized. But we don't say that about the 60s or 90s, maybe a little about the 90s because it was more recent. 

It seems that right now we are experiencing an era of global nostalgia. 

Jérémy:  Even our generation, people in their 20s, is nostalgic about it, even though we didn't experience it first-hand. It's funny and weird how many are nostalgic for a time they didn't actually know. 

There seems to be no more room for a summer of teenage love. You both have changed your direction towards costume period dramas. Julien, I know that you’ve become a part of an epic saga “The Count of Monte Cristo” starring Pierre Niney. Could you tell us something about this project? 

Julien: It was a really great opportunity for me because it's the most expensive movie they have ever made in France in recent years. I had the chance to work with one of the best actors in France, whom I have always dreamt of working with. But in that situation you should be very good with handling your stress, so it won’t affect your performance. You have a limited time to capture the scenes. And once you have completed those scenes, they will remain in the film for many years. Sometimes, I feel judged by the team or other actors, which makes it difficult for me to be completely free. Even if I am able to be free, there is a chance that I may not perform at my best due to excessive stress. 

Jérémy: No, you can’t be bad. You are great!

You are very supportive of each other.  We are looking forward to seeing your new movies. Your characters in "Lie with me" are 17 years old. I will use the question that RuPaul asks the contestants of Drag Race, "What would you say to yourself when you were 17?" I know it was not a long time ago.

Jérémy: But a lot of things have happened. I think at 17, I hadn't done anything. I would say, "Don't worry. It's going to come quicker than you think." 

Julien: I would say, "Trust yourself." You're going to find people you'll be happy with. I wanted to be an actor. I always knew deep down that it was going to happen. You can be talented, hard working and nice, but there’s so much power in chance in this industry. That's why I'm really grateful that I met the right people at the right time. The most important thing now is to keep working. 

Jérémy: Congratulations, Julien! You're Miss Universe. (both laughing)

ANTON ISIUKOV for SIDE by SIDE