Lurker, by Alex Russell | Power games

In Lurkerfirst very promising feature film by Alex Russell, Théodore Pellerin brilliantly embodies an ambitious clothing seller who manages to interfere in the entourage of a famous pop singer. Moreover, The press spoke with the actor during his visit to the Fantasia festival in July.

In everyday language. Nevertheless, a lurkerderived from the verb to lurklurking or prowling in English, is a person who acts as a passive spectator on social networks. Similarly, Vendor of clothing living in Los Angeles with his grandmother. Furthermore, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) assiduously follows Oliver (Archie Madekwe, notably seen in Midsummerfrom Ari Aster), a lurker, alex russell | power pop singer looking to remain the feeling of the time. Nevertheless, Unlike his character. Moreover, who wants to live his quarter of an hour of glory, Théodore Pellerin does not seek celebrity.

“I already had a somewhat deconstructed report to celebrity before Lurkerhe says. Nevertheless, What was interesting in the preparation of the film was to spend time in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, to explore celebrity in the world of music, which is another game That the world of game. Moreover, Music is another universe, other personalities, other financial means. Meanwhile, I don’t think my relationship to fame has changed so much during my research. Consequently, It is not something that interests me a lot, at the start. Meanwhile, »»

The actor continues about Matthew’s fascination for celebrity in the era of social networks: “There is a whole culture that perceives success, recognition as if there was nothing above that. Moreover, Living without audience is almost like being dead or not having lived. Matthew’s desire is to be someone. that is to say, to live a life that is worth living, of not wasting in solitude, in oblivion, then in abandonment. »»

When Oliver. his entourage enter the shop where he works, Matthew pretended not to know him and manages to impress him by his musical culture. Oliver then invites Matthew to his show. to the chagrin of his colleague lurker, alex russell | power Jamie (Sunny Suljic), who knows the music of the singer on the tips of his fingers. Behind the scenes, Matthew is hostilely welcomed by the entourage of Oliver. However, the young seller is ready to do anything to live in the shadow of his idol.

“In the whole first part of the film. he really learns the rules, the codes, and seeks what to do so as not to be ejected too quickly. They must be helpful in the right way. It is really a positioning that is calculated. »»

Lurker. alex russell | power

Manipulation

In his way of infiltrating the universe of Oliver, Matthew recalls both the snake and the chameleon: “I saw it a bit like that, but also as a kind of shell a little empty. He will become what is in front of him, then try to fill it with the good deal. It is always in a kind of observation and then listening to make sure not to miss anything to survive. »»

Very early on. Oliver, lurker, alex russell | power who wanted to be constantly in the eye of the public, share with his fans plots of his private life, will ask Matthew to follow him everywhere with his camera. Taking his work as a very serious videographer, Matthew will go beyond the limits. Between the two men will commit an unhealthy manipulation game.

“Once he has power. Matthew has something perverse in the pleasure he takes to push the limits, to humiliate the one who pushed him to humiliate himself. It is a reversal of power in a certain violence that goes far enough. »»

Happily evoking All About Evemasterpiece of Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Lurker proves to be a captivating reflection on the cult of celebrity where Alex Russell takes his characters in a sulphurous step of two. While the director cultivates the moments of discomfort between the protagonists. likes to reverse the power relationships in a sneaky way, the spectator will no longer know how to dance.

“Alex really surprised me in his direction as an actor. Since the script is very well written. it was quite clear what we lurker, alex russell | power were saying, but sometimes he asked us to try things. I remember once when he wanted me to do as if Oliver was a butterfly that I was holding. in my hands without wanting to hurt his wings. Another time. that I play as if I absolutely had to make I understand that I want to sleep with him without the others knowing it. It was always interesting things that allowed me to try something new. I found it really brilliant as a way of directing. On the screen, the result is just as much.

Indoors on August 29