Based on his groundbreaking hit play, playwright Florian Zeller writes and directs the big-screen adaptation of The Father, which made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020 and after a year of pandemic-induced rescheduling is finally available for everyone to watch via VOD. Starring Academy Award-winners Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman, it is the story of a man suffering the effects of dementia and his daughter trying to manage the changes.
The point of art is to feel as though we are part of something bigger than ourselves, “and that is humanity. Pain remains pain, but we realize we are brothers and sisters in pain and it is meaningful to share that trial.” Despite all the cultural differences, wherever the play was staged, the emotional response was similar. “It was my hope when I wrote the play to share this cathartic experience,” he said, and these shared responses told him something was at stake, inspiring him to make the film.
“It was also the daughter’s story,” Zeller said. “I needed an actress who would allow you to feel empathy.” Colman is perfect for the role. “She’s so humble, generous and full of humanity.” The film is often like a thriller, and Colman elicits the anger, fear, and anxiety of a loved one trying to figure out what is going on. v
