The Chronology of Water

[Cremildo]

Stewart confirms in an interview with the Cannes Film Festival that her first feature-length directorial effort will be an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch 2011 memoir “The Chronology of Water.” The actress said she plans to write and direct the film.

“Lidia Yuknavitch is from Portland. I love her novels but her memoires, it’s deeply personal to her,” Stewart said. “She’s in my blood and I knew that before I met her. As soon as I met her it was like we started this race without any sense of competition. I’m making the movie this summer but other than that, my only goal is just to finish the screenplay and hire a really spectacular actor: I’m going to write the best ****ing female role. I’m going to write a role that I want so badly but that I’m not going to play.”

According to Amazon, “The Chronology of Water” traces the effect of “extreme grief on a young woman’s developing sexuality that some define as untraditional because of her attraction to both men and women.” The book finds Yuknavitch reliving her of addiction, self-destruction, and “ultimately survival that finally comes in the shape of love and motherhood.” With Stewart planning to kick off production on “Water” this summer, it shouldn’t be too long before she announces the actress who will play Yuknavitch on screen.

To be produced by Ridley Scott. [+]

[Britnasty]

The more KStew, the better!

[Monterey Jack]

Finally, the Shape Of Water sequel we've been pining for...!

[Cremildo]

Imogen Poots to star.

[j_sazin]

Is this the making-of documentary on the new Avatar movie?

[BluBonnet]

First look

[BluBonnet]

Movie is reportedly being trimmed to be considered for Cannes

[Zivouhr]

I've seen Poots in a few movies and she's good IMO.
First was 28 Weeks Later, then Need for Speed, then Vivarium.
I didn't know she was in V Vendetta.

Film
Title Year Role Notes
2005 V for Vendetta Young Valerie Page
2007 28 Weeks Later Tammy Harris
Wish Jane Short film
2008 Me and Orson Welles Lorelei Lathrop
2009 Cracks Poppy
Waking Madison Alexis
Solitary Man Allyson Karsch
2010 Centurion Arianne
Chatroom Eva
2011 Jane Eyre Blanche Ingram
Fright Night Amy Peterson
Comes a Bright Day Mary Bright
2012 A Late Quartet Alexandra Gelbart
2013 Greetings from Tim Buckley Allie
Jimi: All Is by My Side Linda Keith
Filth Amanda Drummond
The Look of Love Debbie Raymond
2014 That Awkward Moment Ellie Andrews
A Long Way Down Jess Crichton
Need for Speed Julia Maddon
She's Funny That Way Isabella Patterson
2015 Knight of Cups Della
Green Room Amber
A Country Called Home Ellie
2016 Frank & Lola Lola
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Ashley Wednesday
Killing for Love Elizabeth Haysom Voice; documentary
2017 Have Had Grace Short film
Sweet Virginia Lila
Mobile Homes Ali
I Kill Giants Karen
2018 Age Out Joan
2019 The Art of Self-Defense Anna
Vivarium Gemma Also executive producer
Castle in the Ground Ana
Black Christmas Riley Stone
2020 The Father Laura
French Exit Susan
2023 Baltimore Rose Dugdale
The Teacher Lisa
2024 All of You Laura
2025 Hedda † Thea Clifton Post-production
TBA The Chronology of Water † Lidia Yuknavitch Post-production[20]

[BluBonnet]

[BluBonnet]

[Cremildo]

Deadline: "A Raw And Intricately Constructed Take On A Biopic"

Variety: "a Stirring Drama of Abuse and Salvation, Told with Poetic Passion"

[BluBonnet]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDh4Iph-R3Q

[eightslicesofpie]

Sooooo excited that this is getting raves out of Cannes. Love Kristen.

[BluBonnet]

Will KStew be nominated for a Best Director Oscar next year?

Despite an impressive Cannes debut, she and her cast may still face daunting challenges!

‘The Chronology of Water’: Will Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut and Jim Belushi and Thora Birch’s Supporting Performances Generate Awards Heat?

Okay, now Kristen Stewart is just showing off.

The Oscar nominated “Spencer” star steps behind the camera, writing and directing “The Chronology of Water,” which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. A portrait of pain, rebirth and reclamation, the film’s heartbeat comes from Stewart’s skillful and natural filmmaking. It is bolstered by two veteran actors we haven’t seen do something like this in years, Jim Belushi and Thora Birch.

Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, it recounts her story of going from a champion swimmer, to an addict, and later a writer. Stewart’s directorial debut has an avant-garde sensibility that’s part “The Basketball Diaries,” part Terrence Malick reverie, with a dash of Jim Jarmusch’s cool restraint and an undercurrent of rebellion that flows through it. The film benefits by being made from a female perspective that never shies away from the volatility of lived experience, the sacredness of the body or the ugly grace of survival.

And to think, despite Stewart’s “Twilight” stardom, it took 10 credited producers — and nine executive producers — to get this over the finish line. A hot acquisition title, some daring and savvy studio would be wise to nab this gem.

At the center of the film is Imogen Poots, who blazed onto the scene in 2007’s “28 Weeks Later.” Here she delivers a searing performance as Lidia — a woman shaped by abuse, swimming, literature and unimaginable loss. But it’s the presence of Belushi and Birch that gives the film’s story of generational trauma an anchoring gravity even though they have limited screen time.

[BluBonnet]

Qualifying run in December, followed by wider release in January

Kristen Stewart’s Directorial Debut ‘The Chronology of Water’ Getting Awards Season Release Date

Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water has been picked up for U.S. distribution with plans for an awards-qualifying December theatrical release.

The Forge has acquired North American rights to the film based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir of the same name. An exact release date has yet to be announced. Still, according to today’s announcement, the distributor plans to release the film theatrically in North America this December, followed by a wider release in early January.

The film, which premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, follows a once-hopeful Olympic swimmer as she loses her scholarship and battles addiction while discovering her own sexuality and love of literature. Stewart, The Hollywood Reporter’s review reads, “appears to have found her voice, announcing the seriousness of her intentions not with auteurist self-importance but with unimpeachable commitment to honoring her subject’s story.”

Imogen Poots leads the cast as Yuknavitch, and is joined onscreen by Jim Belushi, Thora Birch, Charlie Carrick, Susannah Flood, Kim Gordon, and Tom Sturridge.

WME Independent handled the deal on behalf of the filmmakers. Les Films du Losange is handling international sales and French distribution.

Said Stewart in a statement, “After eight long years of gestation, I am overwhelmed by the privilege of having The Chronology of Water be released in theaters with the full support and ambition of like-minded artists like the partners we’ve found at The Forge. Films like ours should be birthed onto the screen and I am grateful we found a team as committed to supporting independent filmmakers as they are.”

[craigbarr2003]

Unfortunately, the awards qualifying run isn't going to mean much here, because as good as Poots is in this (and she is very good), The Forge isn't going to have the budget to mount an awards campaign of any kind for her.