Joanna Hogg worked with Tilda Swinton in one of Tilda’s first films, and Joanna’s Graduation piece. They had been friends as kids, but casting Tilda in this early film had reignited their friendship and they have been friends ever since. Both developed individual, successful careers and Joanna became the godmother of Tilda’s daughter Honor Swinton Byrne. Now, over 30 years later, Joanna has made a film based on romantic relationship she had some years ago. Struggling to find someone to play herself, she finally came up with the idea of casting Honor. To Joanna this working relationship is as personal as the story.
I met up with Joanna and Honor at The House of St Barnabas in London. Often when you photograph an actor and a director together, you notice a closeness from having worked together for a long time, but you also notice a professional boundry that is not crossed. In the end, director/actor is a working relationship. Their working relationship before stepping in front of my camera has often been one of separation - one in front of camera and one behind. When you then put the actor and director together, it is as if they need to redefine the boundary between themselves. Joanna, as is often the case with directors, also dislikes being in front of the lens.
But Joanna and Honor are not representative of a traditional working relationship. Their history and closeness was evident as soon as they entered the room. After Joanna had used months to lead Honor through her first film, it seemed that Honor, (being more comfortable in front of the camera) was leading Joanna into a space of comfort. The intimacy and the handhold were natural and I was fortunate to be there to capture their friendship.
Shot for Observer New Review
