Kristen Stewart has made her directorial debut with the arthouse film "The Chronology of Water." Stewart stated her intention to create impactful films that transcend their perceived scale.
The film is an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir, which describes growing up with a challenging father and processing personal memories. Stewart noted that the memoir depicts an atmosphere of abuse and a character defining the experience of having no voice.
Imogen Poots portrays Yuknavitch in the film, with the character often having minimal dialogue. Stewart explained that the movie focuses on processing, metabolizing, and expressing internal experiences.
The title "Chronology of Water" relates to the main character's escape through competitive swimming and the non-linear, fragmented narrative structure that reflects the nature of memory. Stewart highlighted the universal experience of memories interconnected across time.
Stewart, who has acted in Hollywood since childhood, sought opportunities to write and direct. She chose a film with serious subject matter for her debut. Stewart stated a belief that avant-garde films can achieve commercial success.