Ben Affleck and his co-stars discuss film’s modern relevance – deadline

“I consider myself a feminist,” Ben Affleck told reporters at the Venice Film Festival this afternoon. The actor was in town to talk about his latest photo The last duel, with co-stars Matt Damon and Jodie Comer, director Ridley Scott and co-writer Nicole Holofcener on the 14th century title, based on Eric Jager’s book, which is screened out of competition at the festival tonight.

“The film was mainly exciting for me because of the character of Marguerite [played by Comer]”Affleck said.” His extraordinary strength and bravery seemed very evident when I read the book. “

He added, “It’s a true story, a story people didn’t know. She is an incredible woman in history who is a long-known person who spoke out against a powerful man who assaulted her. Naturally, it seemed relevant and also incredibly gripping, and a story that could generate a lot of catharsis and empathy and which I hoped would develop in the viewer a sense of compassion and, hopefully, the idea that we could we look at each other. in another way.”

The track, co-written by Damon, Affleck and Holofcener, also stars Adam Driver and chronicles one of the last legally sanctioned duels in France. Set in 1386, he sees King Charles VI (Affleck) declare that the knight Jean de Carrouges (Damon) settles his dispute with his friend and squire, Jacques LeGris (driver), about a complaint for sexual assault by the woman of the knight (Comer). After a duel to the death, whoever remained alive would be declared the winner as a token of God’s will – and if de Carrouges loses, his wife will be burned at the stake as punishment for her false accusation.

Speaking about the reasons he chose to direct the title, Scott, who is receiving the Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker Award in Venice tonight, said he couldn’t say no to Damon after working with him on The Martian.

“When you get a call from Matt Damon that says, ‘hey man – you already dueled but we have another duel – you wanna read it?’ and I said, ‘yes.’ You don’t say no.

Scott added, “I enjoyed working with Matt on The Martian so i thought, why not go back. I got the script in six weeks… and it’s quick because normally this sort of thing is offered to you and 10 years later you still haven’t done it.

Speaking about the writing process, Damon said, “Ben and I did the male sections – the first two acts. Nicole did the third act, which is mostly Jodie’s story, although Jodie obviously fits into both of our stories. The idea was that in male stories, women sort of show up when men need them. For anything other than that they are ignored… they are their property and they are kind of seen as that.

Holofcener noted that they were, of course, all aware of the #metoo movement and how this “similar” experience had been experienced by Marguerite.

“The last thing we all wanted was to stand on a podium and say, ‘look how relevant this is today’, because I think people understand that without us having to write it down.” , she said.

Comer added, “Going into this part, the sense of duty of care has always been very present. I think there will be so many women who will watch this movie and relate to it in one way or another.

The last duel is released by 20^e Century Studios and is produced by Scott and Kevin Walsh for Scott Free, with Damon and Affleck producing through their Pearl Street banner. It hits theaters on October 15.