Kristen Stewart Calls Cannes Premiere the Happiest Day of Her Life After Years of Creative Struggle

Kristen Stewart described her Cannes Film Festival experience as the happiest day of her life. This moment came after the long-awaited premiere of her directorial debut, The Chronology of Water, a project she had been trying to make for years. The process had been fraught with delays, funding issues, and constant restructuring. Seeing it finally on screen was both a relief and a triumph after what she called a near “shipwreck” of a journey.

Adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, The Chronology of Water follows a former competitive swimmer grappling with the trauma of sexual abuse and finding solace in writing. Stewart took a non-linear, elliptical approach to storytelling, emphasizing emotional resonance over conventional structure. The lead role, played by Imogen Poots, brings a raw vulnerability to the narrative, and critics have largely praised the film’s execution.

Surprised by Praise, Stewart Embraces Imperfection and the Power of Creative Collaboration

Despite the acclaim, Stewart remains modest and surprised by the positive reception. She anticipated backlash due to the film’s challenging subject matter and unconventional style. Nevertheless, she welcomed the opportunity to finally speak candidly about a project she had been emotionally invested in for eight years, describing the experience as an “emotional Heimlich.”

Though Stewart nearly missed seeing the film on the big screen before Cannes, she ultimately embraced the idea of sharing an unfinished, raw version with audiences. She admits there are a few tweaks she’d like to make, but sees the current cut as a living, breathing entity—flawed, youthful, and honest. The film, in her eyes, now exists independently of her, which is both liberating and nerve-wracking.

From the outset, Stewart knew she didn’t want to star in the film. She preferred the collaborative relationship between director and actor, and felt casting herself would undermine that exchange. Watching Poots inhabit the role offered Stewart the creative spark she sought—something unpredictable and transformative that only another person could bring.

Embracing Chaos, Breaking Rules, and Redefining Herself Through Bold Creative Rebellion

Stewart reflected on the unorthodox decisions required to bring the film to life, including abandoning weeks of preparation in favor of improvisation. She leaned into what she called “un-female” qualities—impulsiveness, defiance, and creative audacity—to make it happen. These choices paralleled the themes in the film and revealed her willingness to take risks others deemed impractical or impossible.

Her defiant spirit also extended beyond filmmaking. Stewart has a history of challenging Cannes’ traditional norms, from rebelling against dress codes to criticizing new red carpet restrictions. She viewed her film as another form of rebellion, a symbolic baring of the chest—raw, exposed, and unapologetic.

Now that her years-long goal has been realized, Stewart is unsure what comes next. She acknowledged a newfound empathy for directors and promised to be more trusting as an actor. Reflecting on her wife Dylan Meyer’s own directorial debut, Stewart noted the contrast between their creative processes and embraced the chaos and clarity that defined her journey. With The Chronology of Water behind her, she’s curious—and maybe a bit nervous—about who she becomes next.