Queues stretched in front of Lyon’s historic Théâtre des Célestins hundreds of meters away as fans, many dressed in costumes reminiscent of his famous Gothic characters, lined up to watch Lumière Award winner Tim Burton give master classes at the Lumière Film Festival.
The director did not disappoint, as the session continued over time with Burton receiving additional questions from the excited audience.
Asked about the films that inspired his unique visuals, Burton explained that “many of the films I’ve seen growing up have something very European about them. It goes back to that fairytale, fairy tale, strong graphic imagery,” he explained.
German Impressionism, in particular, has left its mark: “It always reminds me inside your mind, it’s so personal and so inner. Something about the nature of German Impressionism and the powerful images it took in my mind, my dreams, my vision of things. There’s something about black and white too—it’s sexy and soothing. At the same time, and it has a strange effect on me,” he said, adding, “Even some international horror films used German Expressionism, so it came in many forms.”
Burton, who was known to have watched monster movies before he could walk or talk, explained how he identified with them: “I’ve never seen monsters as bad, they’ve always been beautiful, different things seen. Feeling different myself – like many people – I responded for monsters.
“The word itself means something scary, but I’ve never seen it that way…Frankenstein or the creature from Black Lake: They’re not bad, just different, and that’s why I had a strong attachment to them—psychologically and visually.”
Burton’s unique world of cinema found his perfect match with actor Johnny Depp when the two first collaborated on “Edward Scissorhands” in 1990. The duo were famous for making eight films together.
“I reached out to him when I met him for “Edward Scissorhands”: he was like me, some kind of suburban white trash. It wasn’t even a verbal understanding,” he continued, “It was something I could feel. He loved characters, and was interested in acting for her art, not for her work. “It was exciting to see someone play different things, and the idea of this transition from movie to movie always intrigued me,” Burton said.
While he vehemently denied any rumors about a sequel to his 1988 song “Beetlejuice,” Burton said he would still be making films for a while, to the delight of his fans. “Sure, as an artist, you should always try to see things in a different way, and try to keep growing and being creative. It’s an important part of life. I haven’t done anything perfect, but creativity keeps you alive, and it’s something you want to keep doing whatever your age,” He said.
Tim Burton received the Lumière Lifetime Achievement Award, following in the footsteps of the likes of Jane Campion, The Dardenne Brothers, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Jane Fonda, Wong Kar-Way, Catherine Deneuve, Pedro Almodóvar, Ken Loach, Gérard Depardieu and Milos Foreman.
The Lumiere Film Festival runs until October 23.
Tim Burton at the Lumiere Festival 2022
Credit: Chassignole Olivier
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