At 70, Director Florence Miailhe Is Nominated for Her First Oscar

Let’s talk about Butterfly. What was it like to bring this film to life?

A lot of research, then you have to search for funding. You also have to make initial sketches for the film, which is another big part. We were a small team. There were only two animators working with me, but I had to prepare everything to make sure it was clear for them. It took 100 days for the animation, followed by post-production, sound, music, etc. So, overall, it was at least two years of work. Actually, that is kind of quick for animation because usually it can take much more time.

What motivates you to keep working such long hours and months on end?

I’ve been doing this for 30 years now, and animation is really a passion of mine. I love to work with paint. I love to invent the movement and describe things through paint. Also, all the films I do are topics that really matter to me. That’s what drove me to keep working every day. I directed a feature film called The Crossing, and the animation part took four years. It was a very long process, but the subject of the film was really important so that’s what kept me working.

What was important about Butterfly in particular?

My family is Jewish, so it’s a very personal story for me. It was important to tell the story of a Jewish champion that was a victim of the Nazis, who lost all his rights. It’s a reminder of history. When I started to think about the film 10 years ago, some kids did not know about the Holocaust. It was really important for me to remind people about this tragic part of history. Also, it’s important to share this story nowadays. Everything is chaotic, and we are facing very troubled times. It’s kind of an alarm to say, “Be careful.” This doesn’t just apply to Jewish people, but everyone. It can be Black people, it can be Arabic people, it can be everyone. It’s an alarm for the future.

What did you personally take away from Alfred Nakache’s story?

His strength. He was deported to a concentration camp, and then regained his strength to compete in the Olympic Games. The other swimmers also kept pushing him and were very instrumental in the effort. And so, when you’re directing a film, I kind of felt the same because you have to keep going. That’s why I really admire athletes.

You’ve been doing this now for 30 plus years. Your first movie you directed was in 1991 when you were about 35…

And I was pregnant at the time with my daughter.

What were you doing before you started on this path?

I studied painting and engraving at a French school in Paris that’s called the École. It’s kind of a famous school in Paris. My mother was a painter, but I did not want to do the same as her so I chose to direct movies.