From the directing duo of Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine, comes MARION, an impactful short set against the backdrop of La Course Landaise – the French tradition of bull-jumping. The story follows Marion (Caroline Noguès-Larbère), a mother and the only female bull-jumper in France as she prepares for her grand performance in a live arena, battling against misogyny and prejudice while also juggling motherhood in the pursuit of her passion.
Joe and Finn stop by on Close-Up Culture to tell us more…
What inspired you to tell a story centered on bull-jumping?
Caroline was our inspiration. We came across an article written about her where she said: “I don’t face the bulls, I face the men.” It encapsulated something much larger than the sport itself—it spoke to resilience, defiance, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated tradition. Bull-jumping, with its traditional values and high-stakes nature, became an interesting frame for the film. Her story was unique, but its themes were universal, which made it irresistible to bring to life.
Caroline Noguès-Larbère gives an incredible performance as Marion. She is, of course, a real-life écarteur based in France. Can you tell us more about her background?
Caroline is a trailblazer in the traditional French sport of bull-jumping. She has faced significant challenges breaking into a field historically dominated by men. Her strength, grace, and determination made her an icon in her community. Her story isn’t just about athleticism—it’s about resilience, personal growth, and defying expectations, which gave us the perfect foundation for a compelling protagonist.
How essential was it to cast Caroline? Could the film be made without her?
Caroline was absolutely essential to the film. From the moment she read the script and told us how deeply it resonated with her own life, we knew she had to play the role. Her authenticity and connection to the story brought a rawness and emotional depth that an actor simply couldn’t replicate. Without her, the film wouldn’t have the same visceral impact. She didn’t just act the role—she lived it, and that was irreplaceable.
There’s a strong message of women empowerment and resilience in the face of misogyny in the film. How important was it to include these themes in the narrative?
These themes were central to the story. Caroline’s journey as a woman succeeding in a male-dominated tradition was inherently about empowerment and resilience. Her defiance of societal norms, combined with her vulnerability and strength, created a narrative that was both deeply personal and universally relevant. We felt a responsibility to honour her truth while showcasing the broader message of women’s strength in the face of adversity.
The climax of the film is quite breathtaking. Tell us about the challenges that came with shooting in that arena.
The climax was one of the most challenging parts of the film to shoot. We filmed a live bull-jumping event, which meant we had to navigate the unpredictability of the arena, the bulls, and the crowd. With six cameras placed strategically around the space, we captured a mix of wide, dramatic shots and intimate, close-up moments of Caroline. Logistically, it was a high-stakes environment, with no room for error. Every second was pure adrenaline, and we had to trust our preparation to ensure we captured the raw energy and tension of the moment.
The short premiered at the Venice Film Festival. How was that experience?
Premiering at the Venice Film Festival was nothing short of magical. Venice is known for its celebration of bold and innovative storytelling and sharing Caroline’s journey on such a prestigious platform was an honour. The reception was overwhelming—audiences connected deeply with the story, and the discussions afterward reaffirmed that the themes of empowerment and resilience resonated universally.
What has been the reception from audiences and most importantly from Caroline?
The reception has been incredibly positive. People have been moved by Caroline’s strength and the way her story was told. For us, the most important feedback came from Caroline herself. She was deeply touched by how accurately we portrayed her experiences.
Tell us more about how you got into filmmaking and how your collaboration came about.
Our paths to filmmaking were unconventional. Joe came from a background in storytelling, while Finn’s experience in fashion and art brought a visual flair. We met through a shared love of blending narrative and aesthetics to create impactful stories. This film was a natural progression of that passion, combining our strengths to tell a story that felt visually and emotionally powerful.
The film is exec-produced by Sienna Miller and Cate Blanchett. How did they get on board?
Sienna and Cate were drawn to the film’s themes of resilience and this idea of documentary / fiction hybrid film. support not only elevated the project but also brought a level of visibility.
Despite the short running time, the film is incredibly cinematic. Are there any plans to develop this into a feature?
Yes, we’re currently exploring ways to expand the film into a feature-length project. There’s so much more to Caroline’s world and the cultural tradition of bull-jumping that we couldn’t fit into the short. A feature would allow us to delve deeper into her personal journey, the rich history of the sport, and the broader themes of resilience and identity. We’re excited to see where this story can go.
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