Alfonso Cuaron Opens Up About the Venice Marathon: A Gripping Journey in 'Disclaimer' That Tested Actors' Limits

Alfonso Cuarón recently found himself exploring a rather enlightening journey into the land of television, a move he likens to stepping into an entirely new universe. At a Venice press conference for his Apple TV+ series *Disclaimer*, Cuarón couldn't help but reflect on the “miscalculation” he made in swapping the silver screen for the small one. “You see,” he elaborated, “filmmaking takes its sweet time. Shooting a film can feel like coaxing a stubborn cat into a bath; it's a long haul, especially when you realize that this series is basically seven movies in disguise.”

Starring the ever-dazzling Cate Blanchett as a television journalist hell-bent on unveiling the foibles of once-revered institutions, *Disclaimer* traversed an extensive shooting schedule of about a year, from the inviting embrace of spring 2022 to the not-so-sunny days of 2023. Cuarón shared that the script did not just magically appear; it evolved, murmured, and took shape with the actors themselves throwing their creative hats into the ring. “It was pretty much written,” he admitted, “but much like a great conversation at a dinner party, we found ourselves riffing off each other.”

With a certain reverence for the art of filmmaking, Cuarón confessed that directing television is akin to trying to teach your grandma how to use TikTok—“I don’t know how to direct TV,” he sighed. “At this stage, it’s probably too late for me to learn. We took this whole adventure with a cinematic lens.” Talk about commitment!

His favorite subject—Cate—was a non-negotiable aspect of this project. “When I was drafting the script, Cate was already occupying my mind like a beautifully haunting melody,” he revealed. “I was terrified she’d say no. My heart was doing somersaults at the mere thought.”

As the discussion transitioned to societal shaming and the role of women, Blanchett, in her usual candid style, shared her insights with grace and wit. “Every role I approach is, without a doubt, through the eyes of a woman because—surprise!—I am one,” she declared, defying anyone to argue against her logic. “Currently, society is grappling with a distinct lack of shame. It’s a tricky beast—shame is intricate and layered, while guilt... well, that’s just uninviting.”

Her musings on parenting were particularly sharp. “Public shaming? Let’s just say it can ignite a volcanic eruption of rage in a child. But a quiet chat? Now that’s where the magic happens,” she emphasized, imbuing the room with a sense of enlightenment.

And, as if to punctuate the conversation with a flourish, when asked about her attire for the evening's premiere, Blanchett, with impeccable timing, declared with a straight face, “I’m going naked.” Cue the chuckles, and suddenly the weight of the festival felt a tad lighter.

The Venice Film Festival dances on until September 7, with the competition kicking off tonight, featuring *Maria* by Pablo Larrain, starring none other than Angelina Jolie. Grab your popcorn, folks; it’s going to be a riveting ride!