In 2019, French animator and filmmaker Jérémy Clapin received an Oscar nomination for his animated feature, I Lost My Body, a 2D animation film that was very different from the usual output from Disney, Pixar, and other Western animation houses. 

Now, Clapin has returned with Meanwhile on Earth, his first live action feature film, which stars Megan Northam as Elsa, a 23-year-old working in an assisted living facility, whose brother Franck went missing while on a space mission. When she’s contacted by a mysterious voice (Dimitri Doré), claiming to be an alien presence that can help her reconnect with her brother, Elsa is forced to do all sorts of unexpected things to appease this entity.

Cinema Daily US had a chance to speak with Clapin recently ahead of the release of Meanwhile on Earth in select U.S. cities, learning why he chose to tackle it as live action, casting Megan Northam in the lead role, the film’s distinctive soundtrack, and much more. 

Meanwhile on Earth will open across the country in roughly 125 theaters on Friday, November 8, and you can find out where it’s playing and buy tickets here.

Check out more of CinemaDaily US’ video interviews on our YouTube channel

Writer/Director: Jérémy Clapin

Cast: Megan Northam, Dimitri Doré, Sébastien Pouderoux, Catherine Salée, Sam Louwyck, Roman Williams

Producer: Marc Du Pontavice

Production Co: One World Films, Carcadice, France 3 Cinéma, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, Umedia, uFund 

Distributor: Metrograph PIctures

Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Some Sexuality|Language)

Genre: Drama, Science-Fiction, Horror

Language: French

Release Date (Theaters): November 8, 2024 (limited)

Runtime: 1 hour, 29 minutes

If you like this video interview, please share your comments below.

Check out more of Edward Douglas’ articles.

You can watch the trailer  below: