Imogen Poots on her bond with Kristen Stewart in ‘The Chronology of Water’
Imogen Poots has drawn a comparison between herself and director Kristen Stewart, likening their dynamic to that of the cartoon characters Ren and Stimpy. “Our brains are different. She’s like: ‘Boof-boof-boof!’” Poots says, punctuating her statement with a punch of the air. “And I’m coming to the same idea 10 minutes later,” reports BritPanorama.
Despite being born just nine months apart, the two women had never crossed paths until Stewart cast Poots in her film adaptation of swimmer-turned-writer Lidia Yuknavitch’s tumultuous 2011 memoir. Their collaboration sparked a deep friendship. “It feels like we’ve been on a tour bus since the moment we started making it,” Poots reflects. “It feels like we were in a band and this is the album that we got to make.”
Describing the film, The Chronology of Water, as an album, Poots views it as a blend of punk rock and psychedelia — a vibrant tapestry of memories that encompass abuse, addiction, self-destruction, and the complexities of human experience. The film marks a notable directorial debut for Stewart, with Poots embodying the role at its core, depicting a life filled with both soaring highs and devastating lows.
“Kristen is a movie star,” Poots states. “It’s very exposing to go and make a film [directed by her] because it won’t be graded in the same way as an anonymous filmmaker.” Stewart needed an actor capable of bearing “the staggering weight of Lidia’s life,” patiently preparing for the role by studying nearly 40 films featuring Poots over the past two decades. “There was literally no one else,” Stewart commented recently.
Reflecting on Stewart’s commitment, Poots says, “She’d seen all of it. I found the loyalty quite incredible…She said: ‘No, fuck off, I’m making it with Imogen.’” This unwavering belief prompted Poots to reassess her own career choices, stating that all her past decisions led her to collaborate with someone capable of creating such a significant project.
At 36, Poots has had a steady trajectory in her career since her early days, showcasing her talent in a range of films. While often taking on supporting roles in productions such as The Look of Love and The Father, this film provides her with the opportunity for a more profound showcase. The New Yorker described her performance as “remarkably virtuosic.”
“We were telling the story of [Yuknavitch’s] life but this character was sort of an everywoman,” Poots explains, indicating the film’s broader exploration of the female experience. Filming in Latvia presented both emotional and physical challenges, with Poots undergoing intense training for swimming scenes that resulted in physical injury. “I remember feeling quite odd and it took a very long time to come out of that,” she notes, remarking on the immersive nature of her work.
Poots, who rose to prominence in the pandemic horror film 28 Weeks Later, realised early on that her work was her education. Reflecting on her youth, she commented, “It was strange going back to school after that. I remember being shouted at for eating a banana in the corridor and saying: ‘But sir, this is lunacy!’”
Making choices that aligned with her values rather than commercial success, Poots emphasises, “I’d rather work on things I really liked.” With her performances in both The Chronology of Water and Nia DaCosta’s Hedda garnering critical acclaim, she is optimistic about having more creative control in her career.
“You start to crystallise as who you are…I think if you work really hard and you’re good enough and there’s enough luck, then you might be all right,” she says, hinting at the perspectives that come with experience.
Looking forward, Poots will appear in the Netflix drama Kennedy, humorously noting, “I’m playing [the actress] Gloria Swanson.” While contemplating the idea of directing herself, she acknowledges the daunting challenge it presents. “You’re being barraged daily with questions. You can drown in that,” she admits, balancing apprehension with the thrill of pursuing a passion.
As she continues to navigate her evolving career, Poots reinforces a belief in her own direction, stating, “You have to lose the crowd to find your crowd.”
‘The Chronology of Water’ is in cinemas now
