Ode to Acting & Filmmaking: How the Film ”The Worst Ones” Brings out the Best Out of Troubled Youth with Filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret

In this episode, I have the great pleasure of not talking to one but two filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret who were involved in the critically acclaimed French movie “The Worst Ones” (Les Pires”) the recipient of this year’s prestigious “Un Certain Regard” of Cannes!

The film plays around with the concepts and narratives of documentary versus fiction and gives us glimpses of the lives of various troubled youths (and some adults to boot). But in fact, as the filmmakers explain it was all very scripted with very little room for improvisation as the young actors had to learn and memorize their given lines.

In fact, The Worst Ones is a tribute, homage, and declaration of love to acting as well as how it can on one hand turn latent material and potential into reality while at the same time releasing pent-up emotions and serving as an outlet for the frustrations, pain, and suffering associated with struggling and at-risk youth as portrayed in the movie.

Moreover, the film depicts and shows us the stress and pressures of filmmaking by creating an anxiety-ridden and overly ambitious but well-meaning director as one of their characters. Although the filmmakers themselves enjoyed making their first movie, it was a bit like "plunging into an ocean of anxiety" as you do not always know how you are going to resurface and when.

Finally, the filmmakers explain how cinema can serve as a tool to handle emotions and can even become a source of healing for fragile children and youth. In fact, acting can be a saving force for finding one’s way in life and identifying one’s talent and vocation.

This is impressive filmmaking from the pair of young and talented filmmakers Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret and a special thank you to the amazing translator of this interview & podcast Lilia Pino Blouin!