Kristen Stewart Casts Imogen Poots as the Lead of Her Feature Directorial Debut “The Chronology of Water”

Films

Kristen Stewart Casts Imogen Poots as the Lead of Her Feature Directorial Debut “The Chronology of Water”

Kristen Stewart kicked off the year with her first Oscar nomination and is bookending it by casting the lead for her long-gestating feature directorial debut. According to Deadline, Imogen Poots will topline “The Chronology of Water,” Stewart’s adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s “The Chronology of Water.”

Published in 2011, Yuknavitch’s award-winning memoir tackles her bisexuality, motherhood, abuse, and addiction. It tells the story of a “young woman [who] finds her voice through the written word and her salvation as a swimmer — ultimately becoming a triumphant teacher, mother and a singular modern writer. A survivor’s story and a sexually abrasive and honest coming of age, the film is a physical memory wash of Yuknavitch’s inner life,” per the source.

Stewart discussed the project at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, where she described Yuknavitch as being “in [her] blood.” The “Twilight” breakout emphasized, “I’m going to write the best fucking female role. I’m going to write a role that I want so badly but that I’m not going to play.” She co-wrote the film’s script with Andy Mingo.

In a new statement, Steward said that the memoir “honors corporeal experience, radically. To make that experience physical feels vital to me and what this impulse means … is that it absolutely must be a film,” she explained. She added that “Poots will carry this movie and the staggering weight of Lidia’s life. She can hold it. I am beyond lucky to have her.”

Stewart previously helmed the 2017 short “Come Swim.” She’s re-teaming with the banner behind the project, Scott Free, for “The Chronology of Water.”

Earlier this year Stewart received an Oscar nod for her portrayal of Princess Diana in “Spencer.” She was last seen in “Crimes of the Future,” a sci-fi that premiered at Cannes this year.

“The Father,” “Black Christmas,” and “Green Room” are among Poots’ credits.