Interview with Martin Jauvat, Baise-en-ville director

Interview with Martin Jauvat

Baise-en-ville seems like the logical continuation of your previous films, both short and feature films? 

There are familiar places and situations. I film this area I know as a kind of multiverse, where people find themselves in places they have already been. I have two - possibly contradictory - goals: with each film, I want to work on a different genre, and at the same time, I want to keep filming Chelles, my home, my hood, with my crew. But I also want to work with new people. I feel that it is all these contradictions that enable creation. Similarly, I like tackling realistic topics (start-ups, public transportation, etc.) with a super formal take. Every shot is hyper composed, everything is aestheticised - there are no extras. I’m borderline obsessive! Similarly, the dialogues are very written, but I keep filler words so it feels more real. You know, just like in real life!  

It’s partly autobiographical? 

The film retraces a period of my life, but one that I have had time to process, since it takes place before I directed Grand Paris. I was broke, I had to bounce from one temp job to the next, and I loved it, honestly. I even worked at Disney. And since I’m from the 77 (the county of Seine-et-Marne), it’s super important; the theme park powers the whole area. It was also the time I was taking lessons to get my driver’s licence. Baise-en-ville is really a mix of my experience at the time. It’s actually super autobiographical (laughs)! 

It’s also a film that’s more grounded in reality? 

Life, reality, daily life - are so weird that I realised that I didn’t need to add “crazy” stuff like artifacts or aliens. I just tried to go further with this character, to portray him a little more deeply while keeping it light. I play with a pretty normal guy surrounded by slightly “crazy” people. I seek to be nuanced, endearing, cool and surprising, while keeping rather basic. That was challenging to play. 

Speaking of which: actor, director, screenwriter - do you have a preference? 

I get a childlike joy from acting, even if I don’t find it as fulfilling. It’s more selfish, it’s pure fun, like. Directing is super stressful. My life’s purpose is to tell stories, so I really love screenwriting too, even if it’s a more solitary process. Honestly, all three suit me. When you have a universe that is as distinctive as mine, it just makes sense to write, direct, and step into a character.