Nowadays, film festivals are not just about films, but also about TV series. "Disclaimer", which is based on a best-selling book by Renée Knight, is one of the series that has created the most pre-interest in Venice.
The series follows Catherine Ravenscroft, a successful investigative journalist, who is married and has a son. One day, she receives a book from an anonymous author by post. She starts reading and realizes to her horror that the plot is based on her life's biggest secret.
We all have our dark sides, private things that we don't want to tell anyone. It doesn't mean that we are dishonest, says Blanchett when she, Cuarón, and co-star Kevin Kline meet the press at the festival.
"Hidden Traumas"
Who knows about Catherine's secret, who wrote the book – and what consequences will it have for her private and working life?
This woman has hidden traumas, it's about what happens when suppressed memories come to the surface. It's painful, I'm glad I don't carry anything like that myself, says Cate Blanchett.
She tells us that they filmed "Disclaimer" in chronological order, which made it possible to improvise afterwards.
When we got to episode six, we knew the character better. It gave us the opportunity to change.
"Lack of Shame"
She thinks that much of the story is about shame.
There is an enormous lack of shame in today's society. Shame and remorse are scarce commodities. The filming took almost a year.
Blanchett laughs and says:
I'm still recovering.
For Cuarón, she was the obvious choice for the lead role.
I thought of her all the time when I wrote the script. I was terrified at the thought of her saying no.
"Disclaimer" will be shown on Apple TV+ later this fall
Seven-part series that will be shown on Apple TV+ in October.
Based on a book with the same title by Renée Knight. Script and direction by Alfonso Cuarón.
Besides Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, other names such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Lesley Manville, and Louis Partridge also participate.