“We respect the guy, and we’re making a film to protect him and his lifestyle”: Denis Côté on Paul at Berlin Film Festival 2025

Denis Côté’s Paul is a tender and candid portrait of an unconventional man seeking solace and self-acceptance. Struggling with depression and social anxiety, Paul lives a solitary, routine-bound life – until he reinvents himself as “Cleaning Simp Paul”. Embracing a submissive role, he finds purpose in cleaning for dominant women, documenting his journey through Instagram reels under the mantra “Cleaning to Save My Life”. A devoted Alice in Wonderland fan, he transforms his world with ritual and fantasy. Côté’s non-judgmental film offers a nuanced look at one man’s idiosyncratic path to well-being and self-discovery.

Two hours after the documentary’s premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Côté sat down with The Upcoming to discuss the non-judgmental approach he took in the film and how this project differs from his previous works, which were colder and more cerebral in nature. He also reflected on the unique challenge of the two-way anonymity at play, where Paul was unaware of Côté’s achievements as a filmmaker, giving way to a challenging but illuminating dynamic.

Christina Yang

Paul does not have a release date yet.

Read more reviews from our Berlin Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the Berlin Film Festival website here.