Denis Côté has long been known for his fascination with unconventional characters, often navigating the fringes of society and human desire. His latest film, For Paul, premiering in the Panorama section at Berlinale, is no exception. Inspired by a real-life encounter, the film follows Paul, a man whose lifestyle challenges mainstream perceptions of relationships, power dynamics, and personal agency. In this conversation, Côté discusses the fine line between judgment and observation in filmmaking, his resistance to over-intellectualizing sexuality, and his instinctive, fast-paced approach to cinema. He reflects on how For Paul evolved unexpectedly, revealing new anxieties about the relationship between identity and digital self-representation. We also explore his views on objectivity in documentary filmmaking, the evolving landscape of sexuality in the internet age, and his enduring appreciation for Iranian cinema. As always, Côté offers a refreshingly direct and self-reflective take, questioning both his own methods and the broader cinematic discourse surrounding desire, control, and the limits of non-judgmental storytelling.
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