'Colette' Screens at the Fall 2018 KCET Cinema Series
Following a screening of “Colette,” writer/director Wash Westmoreland attended a Q&A hosted by Cinema Series host Pete Hammond. This historic drama is the story of Gabrielle Sidonie Colette (Keira Knightley), a young woman from a French country village who marries 'Willy' (Dominic West), a charismatic, dominating Parisian. He convinces his much younger wife to write a novel — to be published under his name. When Colette becomes frustrated with the lack of recognition for her work, domestic bliss turns to infidelity and a struggle for creative ownership.
Writer and director Wash Westmoreland's last film, the critical and box office success "Still Alice," starring Julianne Moore was co-written and co-directed with his late husband Richard Glatzer. Released in 2015, the film garnered multiple awards, including a Golden Globe®, Academy Award® and a BAFTA for Best Actress, as well as the Humanitas Prize for Best Screenplay. Before that, their 2006 movie “Quinceañera” won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival as well as the Humanitas Prize, and the John Cassavetes Spirit Award. “Colette,” a project written with Glatzer, is the first feature film Westmoreland has directed solo.
Originally hailing from Leeds, England, Westmoreland earned his college degree in Politics at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and soon after moved to America to pursue filmmaking. He currently resides in Echo Park, Los Angeles.
Browse photos and listen to the Q&A from the screening below.