The Next Best Picture Podcast Interview With "Anemone" Filmmaker Ronan Day-Lewis
Sep 30, 2025
Ronan Day-Lewis, a promising film director and co-writer, discusses his feature debut, Anemone, co-written with his father, three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis. He dives into the deep themes of brotherhood, influenced by personal dynamics, and shares the surreal experience of screening alongside his parents. Ronan balances contrasting performances from Sean Bean and Daniel, while highlighting his cinematic inspirations from legends like Lynch and Tarkovsky. His excitement for dark, atmospheric storytelling shines through as he looks forward to future collaborations.
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Character-Led Writing Process
- The script evolved organically from character-led scenes rather than an outline.
- Ronan and his father discovered themes like isolation and brotherhood through gradual writing exploration.
From Coming-Of-Age To Gothic Brotherhood
- Ronan initially imagined a coming-of-age story but couldn't find a way in.
- His father brought a fascination with brotherhood and isolation that reshaped the project into Anemone.
Personal Texture, Not Literal Autobiography
- Ronan used personal sibling dynamics as texture, not literal biography.
- Small childhood behaviors informed the volatile intimacy between the brothers on screen.
