François Ozon Says the Homoerotic Reading of ‘The Stranger’ Misses the Point
Why it matters: François Ozon's new film offers the first major adaptation of Camus's "L'Étranger" since 1967, potentially redefining the iconic character for a new generation.
- François Ozon adapts Albert Camus’s “L’Étranger” into a new black-and-white film, aiming to rectify casting issues from previous adaptations.
- Ozon believes Luchino Visconti famously miscast Marcello Mastroianni as Meursault in the 1967 film, stating Mastroianni was "totally miscast" due to his Italian persona clashing with the character's French essence.
- Benjamin Voisin was cast by Ozon as Meursault, with Ozon praising his ability to evoke fascination and mystery, similar to what Alain Delon would have brought to the role, rather than empathy.
- IndieWire's David Ehrlich previously described Voisin as a "cocky denim vision" in "Summer of 85," but Ozon directed Voisin to deliver a blank, non-acting performance for Meursault, a significant challenge for the actor.
- Ozon explicitly states that a homoerotic reading of "The Stranger" misses the point of his adaptation, which focuses on the character's enigmatic nature and the audience's observation rather than identification.
French filmmaker François Ozon's new black-and-white adaptation of Albert Camus's "L'Étranger" aims to correct past casting missteps, with Ozon asserting that the film's focus is on the enigmatic nature of its protagonist, Meursault, rather than a homoerotic interpretation. Ozon specifically criticizes Luchino Visconti's 1967 adaptation for miscasting Marcello Mastroianni, preferring the mysterious quality Benjamin Voisin brings to the role, akin to Alain Delon's potential portrayal.
