The Father (Zoller, 2020)
On this day back in 2021, RNZ broadcast my interview with the writer and director of The Father, Florian Zeller. Zeller had written the original play, which had been performed around the world, but this was his first feature film as director. I enjoyed talking to him very much.
At the time, The Father had just picked up Oscar nominations for leads Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman, as well as best adapted screenplay, editing and production design. In the end only Hopkins and screenwriter Christopher Hampton (and Zeller, of course) would walk off with statuettes. Famously, despite becoming the oldest Best Actor winner in history, Sir Anthony did not attend the Covid-affected ceremony.
It’s a shame that Peter Francis and Cathy Featherstone did not win for production design as it was a great example of a set (or sets) contributing to both story and theme, something that Zeller and I talked about in my interview.
This was a film that very moving for me at the time and I can only imagine how its power will grow as the people around me – and perhaps even I myself, though I remain in complete denial – continue to age.
Where to watch The Father
Aotearoa and Australia: Streaming on Beamafilm (free with participating library membership) or digital rental
Canada: Streaming on Crave
Ireland and UK: Streaming on Channel4
India: Digital rental from Amazon
USA: Streaming on Starz
