La Croix (The Cross)

Joris Fleurot

The Lyon-based director studied audiovisual arts in Lyon. In 2015, he founded his production company Spline Studio, with which he produces and directs advertising and institutional films. He then participated in the shooting of several short films, a web series, directed several short films, a documentary and numerous music videos.
Today, between Lyon and Paris, he develops his imagination around fantasy and horror. La Croix is a new step for him in this genre, inspired as much by French myths and legends as by King’s tales.

Director Statement

At the center of „La Croix“ is the theme of artistic inspiration. The film portrays creativity as undergoing a form of uberization, a shift that the main character, immersed in their profession and passion, ultimately embraces. The narrative underscores the relentless pressure to create more, do it better, and do it faster. Driven by an inflated ego and lacking tenacity, the protagonist succumbs to the allure of easy inspiration, disregarding the consequences of this Faustian bargain. Jade, the central figure, mirrors her patrons‘ desires: wanting everything instantly. Yet, the film underscores a poignant truth: both inspiration and creation necessitate time. „La Croix“ delves into a society obsessed with accelerating every aspect of life, including the creative process.
The cinematography skillfully places the audience in Jade’s shoes. It melds fluid camera movements with varied dolly shots and shoulder-mounted camera work during flashbacks, advancing the narrative through Jade’s memories with a seamlessly alternating montage. The stark contrast between urban landscapes and the mystical Breton countryside evokes a sense of Celtic esotericism. This setting serves as my canvas to reinterpret the forgotten myth of the Ankou. The gloomy weather, settings that perpetually confine the characters, and the use of a 2:40 aspect ratio all contribute to the film’s vision: portraying a contemporary horror fable. The predominant green/cyan color palette creates an atmosphere that is both toxic and foreboding, ensuring that no character leaves unscathed.
This film aims to provoke thought about the artists behind the spectacle in our society. Perhaps there’s a bit of Jade in all of us, constantly pushed to produce more and faster. It’s a reminder of the importance of recognizing and accepting that true creation requires time.