Actress-turned-director Kristen Stewart made a striking appearance alongside her co-star Imogen Poots for a special screening of their powerful new film The Chronology Of Water at White City House in London on Saturday.
Star-Studded London Premiere
The two leading ladies radiated joy throughout the event, beaming for photographs and sharing laughter during an on-stage interview conducted by Briony Hanson, the British Council's Director of Film. Their chemistry was palpable as they discussed the film's intense themes and production journey.
Imogen Poots, 36, showcased impeccable style in a sophisticated brown lace top paired with a suede midi skirt, while Kristen Stewart, 35, opted for a more relaxed yet equally stylish burnt orange jacket. The event attracted several notable faces from the entertainment industry, including Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein, 45, who joined the pair to show his support.
A Critically Acclaimed Directorial Debut
The Chronology Of Water has been generating significant buzz among critics for its unflinching exploration of difficult subjects including childhood trauma and addiction. The film represents Stewart's directorial debut, for which she recently accepted the Rising Star Director Award at the prestigious SCAD Savannah Film Festival earlier this month.
Stewart not only directed the project but also co-produced and adapted the screenplay from American swimmer Lidia Yuknavitch's visceral 2011 memoir. The heartfelt drama follows Yuknavitch's journey toward becoming a competitive swimmer after surviving an abusive childhood, with Poots delivering what Stewart describes as a generation-defining performance in the lead role.
The talented supporting cast includes Jim Belushi, Tom Sturridge, Thora Birch, and Kim Gordon from the legendary rock band Sonic Youth, creating an ensemble that brings depth and authenticity to this compelling narrative.
From Cannes Acclaim to London Celebration
The film first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received both critical acclaim and a standing ovation. Prominent publications have praised the project, with Variety calling it "a stirring drama of abuse and salvation, told with poetic passion" and Indiewire critic David Ehrlich noting that "there isn't a single millisecond of this movie that doesn't bristle with the raw energy of an artist."
Following the Cannes premiere, Stewart expressed her deep connection to Yuknavitch's story, telling AFP: "I had just never read a book like that that is screaming out to be a movie, that needs to be moving, that needs to be a living thing." She marveled at how Yuknavitch was "able to take really ugly things, process them, and put out something that you can live with, something that actually has joy."
Stewart further explained her personal connection to the material, stating: "Being a woman is a really violent experience. Even if you don't have the sort of extreme experience that we depict in the film or that Lidia endured and came out of beautifully." She emphasized that while the story isn't autobiographical for her, she understands the universal themes of finding one's voice and learning to trust oneself.
The director reserved special praise for her leading lady, calling Imogen Poots "the best actress of our generation," confirming that she never seriously considered playing the role of Lidia herself despite her deep investment in the project.
