'High Life' trivia and fun facts
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Claire Denis had in mind this project since 2002, but due to economic problems she couldn't do it. In her mind, Philip Seymour Hoffman was the perfect actor for the character later to be played by Robert Pattinson. He heard about the project and was very interested in it. Although she was certain he was too young for the role of Monte, after meeting in person she understood that the paper was already his and no one else.
Premiere at Toronto
The world premiere at Toronto Film Festival has caused multiple walkouts because of how graphically disturbing and provocative the film was. Despite the audience reaction, the film was well received by the critic.
The film's plot
Claire Denis: "The film is about sexuality, not sex. Sensuality, not pornography. Sexuality is about fluids. As soon as sexuality stirs within us, we know it's all about fluids - blood, sperm, etc. I thought if I wanted that fluid subtext to work, we had to reduce the sex act to masturbation. I forbade myself any naked scenes. No erect cocks, no gaping pussies. We did it another way - High Life speaks only of desire and of fluids."
Original idea
The original idea of 'High Life' comes from 'Trouble Every Day', while filming with filmmaker and actor Vincent Gallo. She said: "You're such a pain in the ass that I'm going to make a movie where you'll be alone in space."
'High' and 'Life'
'High' stands for outer space and 'Life' for the life Juliette Binoches character wants to create. But it's above all a word that comes from Africa where she grew up and spent her childhood: Africans often refer to white life as 'high life'.
Language
It's the first film of Claire Denis in english, because according to her, she couldn't imagine someone in space talking in another language different to english or russian.