In “The Passion of Adèle Haenel: A Blend of Art and Politics,” the article explores the transformative journey undertaken by French actress Adèle Haenel. Known for her role in the critically acclaimed film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Haenel has chosen to redirect her focus towards political activism and radical art. The article highlights her involvement in the #MeToo movement and her efforts to challenge the complacency within the film industry. It also delves into her collaboration with choreographer-director Gisèle Vienne and their shared commitment to using art as a vehicle for political expression. The article provides insights into their latest project, “L’Étang,” and the thematic elements they aim to explore through their work.
Background of Adèle Haenel
Introduction to Adèle Haenel
Adèle Haenel is a prominent French actress known for her fierce political conviction and involvement in the #MeToo movement. She gained international recognition for her role in the art-house hit film “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” in 2019. However, Haenel made the decision to retire from cinema due to her strong political beliefs.
Her involvement in the #MeToo movement
Over the past few years, Haenel has become one of the most visible and committed faces of the #MeToo movement in France. She has spoken out against sexual aggression in the film industry and the general complacency of the profession towards sexual aggressors. Haenel’s decision to retire from cinema was a political statement aimed at denouncing the industry’s collaboration with the oppressive structures of the world.
Retirement from cinema
In May, Haenel wrote an open letter published in the influential French culture weekly Télérama, explaining her retirement from cinema. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the profession’s attitude towards sexual aggressors and its alignment with the oppressive systems in society. Haenel politicized her retirement as a way to bring attention to these issues and demand change.
Political understanding and activism
Haenel has a deep political understanding of the world and strives to align her actions with her beliefs. She rejects the label of being “radical” and prefers to be referred to as “coherent.” Haenel engages in critical thinking and aims to avoid stagnation in her relationship with the world. She believes in the importance of being alive and engaged, actively participating in creating a better future. Her goal is to create and revive memories through her work and activism.
Collaboration with Gisèle Vienne
Meeting and initial collaboration
Haenel and Gisèle Vienne, a renowned choreographer and director, first crossed paths in 2018 while serving on the admissions committee for the National Theater of Brittany’s acting school. Haenel participated in a workshop led by Vienne, where they explored the concept of slow motion as a new sense to experience things differently.
The show ‘L’Étang’
Haenel and Vienne’s first official collaboration was the show “L’Étang” (“The Pond”). Based on a short play by Robert Walser, the dance-theater piece delves into de-hierarchization, challenging the traditional hierarchy of text in theater. Words, movement, music, sound, and lighting all contribute to communicating information and emotions on stage. The show creates a hallucinatory atmosphere and explores the friction between text and subtext.
Exploration of de-hierarchization
In “L’Étang,” Haenel and Vienne aim to pierce through the surface of things and understand the implied feelings and emotions of the characters. They communicate without continuously talking about it, developing a strong sense of anticipation and non-verbal communication. The exploration of de-hierarchization in the show undermines the usual link between body language and text delivery, creating a unique and thought-provoking experience for the audience.
Friction between text and subtext
One of the key elements of “L’Étang” is the friction between text and subtext. Haenel and Shanahan, the other performer, have a scene of intense aggression despite speaking calmly and with electronically distorted voices. The dissociation between body language and voice creates an unsettling effect, turning someone else’s speech into silence. The show intends to address the issue of violence and provoke a political response from the audience.
The Artistic and Political Blend
Intentional impact on audience
Haenel and Vienne’s work aims to have both an aesthetic and political impact on the audience. By challenging traditional theatrical hierarchies and subverting expectations, they create an immersive experience that encourages critical thinking and emotional engagement. Their intention is to offer a unique perspective that provokes conversations about important social and political issues.
Addressing the issue of violence
Violence is a recurring theme in Haenel and Vienne’s work. They believe in using their art to confront and address the issue of violence in society. Through their performances, they aim to shed light on the different forms of violence and its impact on individuals and communities. By portraying violence on stage, they seek to evoke emotional responses and promote dialogue about these pressing issues.
Partnership with Gisèle Vienne
Haenel’s partnership with Gisèle Vienne is crucial to the artistic and political blend in their work. They share a commitment to rigorous training and extensive theoretical exploration. Vienne’s background in choreography and directing, combined with Haenel’s acting skills, result in a multidimensional approach to performance that merges physicality, emotions, and intellectual concepts.
Involvement in Monique Wittig’s work
Haenel and Vienne are dedicated to promoting the work of Monique Wittig, a lesbian philosopher and activist. Wittig’s work explores themes of gender, sexuality, and power, aligning with Haenel and Vienne’s political beliefs. They participate in public readings of Wittig’s work and actively seek to revive her contributions to feminist and queer theory. Haenel’s involvement includes efforts to facilitate new English translations of Wittig’s work, intending to increase her recognition and influence in the United States.
The Show ‘L’Étang’
Synopsis of the show
“L’Étang” is a dance-theater piece based on a short play by Robert Walser. It features Adèle Haenel and Julie Shanahan, who play multiple roles in a narrative centered around family dynamics and violence. The show explores themes of de-hierarchization, challenging traditional theatrical structures, and providing a unique experience for the audience through a hallucinatory atmosphere.
Haenel’s multiple roles
In “L’Étang,” Haenel takes on the role of Fritz, an adolescent who fakes suicide to gain his mother’s attention, as well as the roles of his two siblings. Her versatility as an actress allows her to portray these characters with depth and emotional intensity. Haenel’s multiple roles contribute to the overall exploration of violence and family dynamics in the show.
Influence of Robert Walser’s play
The show is based on a short play by Robert Walser, a Swiss-German writer known for his distinctive style and exploration of human psychology. Haenel and Vienne draw inspiration from Walser’s play to delve into the themes of the original work and adapt them to the medium of dance-theater. The influence of Walser’s play adds depth and complexity to the narrative of “L’Étang.”
Hallucinatory atmosphere
“L’Étang” creates a hallucinatory atmosphere through its slow-motion movements and meticulously crafted sound design. The combination of Haenel and Shanahan’s precise physicality, electronic voice distortions, and haunting music immerses the audience in a dreamlike world. The hallucinatory atmosphere serves to intensify the emotional impact and provoke a visceral response from the viewers.
Haenel and Vienne’s Partnership
Development of their collaboration
Haenel and Vienne’s collaboration began in 2018 when they met during the admissions committee for the National Theater of Brittany’s acting school. The encounter sparked their artistic connection and led to further exploration of their shared interests and goals. Their partnership has since flourished, resulting in multiple shows and advocacy for important feminist and queer theories.
Premiere of ‘Extra Life’
In August, Haenel and Vienne premiered a new show titled “Extra Life” at the Ruhrtriennale festival in Germany. The performance featured Haenel, alongside actors Theo Livesey and Katia Petrowick. The show further demonstrates their artistic collaboration and commitment to thought-provoking performances that blur the lines between art and politics.
Involvement in Monique Wittig events
Haenel and Vienne’s partnership extends beyond their artistic collaborations. They actively participate in events centered around Monique Wittig, a philosopher and activist whose work resonates with their political beliefs. By engaging in public readings and discussions, they strive to keep Wittig’s legacy alive and promote her ideas within feminist and queer communities.
Promoting new translations of Wittig’s work
As part of their dedication to Monique Wittig’s work, Haenel is involved in promoting new translations of Wittig’s writings in English. Haenel recognizes the importance of increasing Wittig’s visibility and influence, particularly in the United States. By facilitating new translations, Haenel aims to expand Wittig’s readership and contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding feminist and queer theories.
Haenel’s Political Activism
Engaging in critical thinking
Haenel’s political activism stems from her commitment to critical thinking. She actively questions and challenges societal norms, oppressive systems, and complacency within the film industry. By engaging in critical thinking, Haenel seeks to contribute to a more progressive and inclusive society through her artistic endeavors and activism.
Avoiding stagnation in her relationship to the world
Stagnation is something Haenel actively avoids in her relationship with the world. She believes that continually challenging one’s perspectives and remaining open to new ideas is essential for personal growth and societal progress. Haenel’s refusal to become calcified in an antiquated relationship to the world reflects her dedication to staying engaged and relevant.
Importance of being alive and engaged
For Haenel, being alive and engaged with the world is of paramount importance. She sees art and activism as vehicles for creating a more vibrant and dynamic existence. Through her work, Haenel seeks to spark conversations, provoke emotional responses, and inspire others to actively participate in shaping a better future.
Goal of memory creation and revival
One of Haenel’s goals is memory creation and revival. By engaging with Monique Wittig’s work and advocating for its recognition, Haenel aims to contribute to the active memory of important feminist and queer theories. She believes that reviving the memories of influential thinkers and activists is essential for progressing towards a more just and inclusive society.
Conclusion
Impact of Haenel’s work and activism
Adèle Haenel’s work as an actress and her involvement in the #MeToo movement have had a significant impact on the film industry and broader society. Her retirement from cinema and fierce political conviction have brought attention to the issue of sexual aggression and complacency within the profession. Through her performances and collaborations with Gisèle Vienne, Haenel continues to challenge traditional theatrical structures and address important social and political issues.
Continued collaboration with Gisèle Vienne
Haenel’s partnership with Gisèle Vienne is likely to continue to flourish, given their shared artistic vision and commitment to exploring the intersection of art and politics. Their collaborations challenge audiences and provoke critical thinking, creating thought-provoking and immersive experiences.
Future projects and goals
Haenel’s future projects may involve further exploration of feminist and queer theories, alongside her ongoing collaborations with Gisèle Vienne. Her advocacy for Monique Wittig’s work and efforts to facilitate new translations demonstrate her commitment to promoting important voices in feminist and queer discourse.
Overall importance of art and politics
Through the work of Adèle Haenel and her collaboration with Gisèle Vienne, the article highlights the profound impact that art and politics can have on society. Haenel’s artistic endeavors and political activism intersect, creating a powerful platform for addressing important social issues. The blend of art and politics in her work serves as a reminder of the transformative power that artistic expression can have in shaping a more inclusive and progressive world.
