The Shape of Water premiere: A chat with Guillermo del Toro, Richard Jenkins, Alexandre Desplat and Clare Stewart on the red carpet

The Shape of Water is the new feature from the master of fantasy fairytale, Guillermo del Toro. The other-worldly film, starring Sally Hawkins, had its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 10^th October. Hawkins plays Elisa, a mute janitor working in a top secret facility in the US during the Cold War era. When Elisa discovers a fish-like creature who has been captured and held there, she develops concerns over his treatment and slowly starts to build a connection with him. The beautiful film full of mystery and strangeness displays the Pan’s Labyrinth director at his visually arresting best, showcases an incredibly emotive wordless performance from award-winning Hawkins, as well as exploreing all-too-relevant issues of diversity, inclusion and loving beyond superficial differences. We were on the red carpet ready to speak with del Toro and his team about the creation of the film.

The director explained what drew him to want to tell this story, the process he took to deliver his vision and the experience of working with the talented Sally Hawkins.

Richard Jenkins talked to us about his role as Elisa’s lonely gay next door neighbour and the themes of exclusion explored in the film.

Composer Alexandre Desplat spoke about the process of developing the score, his influences and working hand in hand with auteur del Toro.

London Film Festival Director Clare Stewart talked to us about diversity and what people can take away from seeing del Toro’s latest film.

Sarah Bradbury
Videos: Marta Starczynowska

The Shape of Water is released nationwide on 16^th February 2018. Read our review here.

Read more reviews and interviews from our London Film Festival 2017 coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the official BFI website here.