But Moore’s real-life career also incarnated “this iconic star” represented by her character in “The Substance.”
“Someone who has been totally valued for this dream, this fake promise that if you’re young, beautiful, you’re going to be happy and successful,” said Fargeat.
“And when this goes away, it’s like all your life is going away.”
Even so, Moore’s pitch-perfect casting as Elisabeth nearly did not happen.
Fargeat at first assumed Moore would not be interested in a role requiring extensive nudity and countless, grotesque scenes of gore and decay.
But the director picked up a copy of Moore’s 2019 memoir “Inside Out,” which laid bare the actor’s battles with ageism and misogyny, as well as addiction, abuse and very public divorces.
“When I read her book, I really saw that she was ready to take the level of risk that the movie requested,” said Fargeat.
Early conversations included the significant amount of unflinching and often unflattering nudity required by Fargeat’s vision.
“The film is really about women’s bodies. I wanted to tell my stories [in] the flesh,” recalled Fargeat.
Fargeat also admits she was a demanding and meticulous director on set, requiring “a lot of takes.”
Moore has spoken about losing 20 pounds (nine kilos) and contracting shingles due to the intense strain of filming, while co-star Margaret Qualley described being in the movie’s prosthetic suits as “torture” that triggered panic attacks.
“If the lead performance isn’t ready to go that far, the whole movie falls apart,” said Fargeat.
Moore “took the risk to follow the vision of the movie… that’s very, very brave and courageous,” she said.
Oscars race
