Adapting a memoir as creatively told as Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Chronology of Water is no small task, but Kristen Stewart proved more than capable with her recent directorial debut. The film stars English actress Imogen Poots as Lidia, a traumatized young woman who finds herself through swimming and writing. Poots is stunning in the role, using Yuknavitch’s real story to create a character that feels uniquely her own.
Vogue spoke with Poots about diving into Yuknavitch’s work, bonding with Stewart because they’re “both sort of nerds,” embracing the contrasts in her craft, and her fabulously floral holiday plans.
Vogue: How did this project come to you?
Imogen Poots: It came as a script, and then I made a tape. I met with Kristen, and after we spoke, I read the book and absolutely loved it. I’m always happy when I’m reading, and it reminded me of some of my favorite writers. The lyricism felt very poetic, yet really accessible. Lidia isn’t pretentious—she couldn’t be if she tried. I think that’s because she’s authentically awestruck by humanity and nature. Her writing reminded me of Beatnik writers I’ve loved. I read her other work too, and the screenplay and the book complemented each other so well. Kristen was the perfect person to do it. It’s funny because Kristen actually hates getting wet—she’s like a cat. So the idea of her making this film while staying dry was probably a challenge for her.
Vogue: What was it like working with Kristen on her directorial debut?
Poots: It was so exciting. I was embarrassingly awestruck at the idea of working with her. I just adore her as a person. We have a real, easy, deep, and pure friendship now, and I love her so much. It’s amazing to work with someone where you’re both really honest. We’re both sort of nerds, we care a lot, and we goof around a lot. She’s the perfect person to create something with and to tackle something hard with, because the stakes were high. It was a big experience for both of us, and it’s impacted us since, which is cool.
Vogue: How did you approach getting into character as Lidia?
Poots: When I was leaving my apartment in Brooklyn to start filming, I remember looking at my place and thinking, Next time I come back, I’ll have done the project. I knew it was going to be hard. I made a promise to myself to just go for it and be as open as possible. I trusted Kristen so much that I wanted to do that. I don’t mean broad or big—I mean available. To do that, you have to exist in that atmospheric plane for a while. Afterwards, I realized what that had done to me on a cellular level. But at the time, you have to completely commit to this beast of a character and all her heartbreaks, which are so often shared by others. I think about this with death all the time: death isn’t bad for the person dying; it’s bad for the people losing them. Lidia, as a character, unfortunately lets a lot of people down because she’s been so deeply let down herself, which is a lot to carry and process.
Vogue: What was it like seeing the film get so much acclaim at Cannes?
Poots: We were so giddy. I’d seen a version of the film before and was so proud. It felt like an album we’d made in many ways—one that wasn’t following any trend, just something we were excited to share. Of course, it was scary too, but I had a quiet, steely feeling inside that we’d made something that mattered to both of us. Because that was authentic, I hoped it would matter to other people too. You know, you’re in these…You’re slogging through mud, sleep-deprived, eating terrible food, maybe even on your period, all while making a film together. Then, six months later, you’re in borrowed clothes, trying not to wrinkle them in the back of a car on the way to this grand, ornate screening. I love that contrast. This job is so strange. People think it’s glamorous, and there are moments that are, but it takes a lot out of you—and I think we’re all here for that. We always manage to find the fun in everything. We’ve been going to a lot of events lately, and it’s always fun because we’re together, but it’s really important to enjoy all of it. We were nervous, but there was no way we weren’t going to have the time of our lives.
I know you’ve had a busy year with Hedda and The Chronology of Water; what’s next for you work-wise?
There’s something I’m going to do that hasn’t been announced yet. I want to keep working with filmmakers I’m obsessed with. I also think what’s really beautiful about getting older and wiser is that you get softer. That doesn’t mean you’ll settle for something you don’t believe in, but I think having fun is a really, really important thing. There’s an art to having fun that’s important to master. With acting, you want the work to be recognized and seen, and that can lead to a certain seriousness. I’m intrigued by what it means to turn that on its head and do something different.
What do you have planned for the holidays?
I’m going to see my family and friends in London, which will be wonderful. I’ll see my friend Milli—Milli Proust, which isn’t her birth name. She’s an incredible natural florist with a flower farm in Sussex and runs her own business. It’s always really fun to visit her and see what she’s growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Imogen Pootss commitment to her role in The Chronology of Water designed to sound like questions from real fans and moviegoers
FAQs Imogen Poots in The Chronology of Water
Beginner General Questions
1 What is The Chronology of Water about
Its a film adaptation of the acclaimed raw memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch It follows her journey through trauma swimming sexuality and finding her voice as a writer and person
2 Who does Imogen Poots play
She plays the lead role of Lidia Yuknavitch portraying the author at a pivotal younger stage of her life
3 Is this a different kind of role for her
Absolutely While shes taken on complex characters before this is a deeply raw physically and emotionally demanding lead role based on a real persons traumatic and transformative life story
4 Why is everyone talking about her commitment to this role
The memoir is famously intense and unflinchingly honest To do it justice requires an actor to go to vulnerable challenging places which Poots has fully embraced as seen in early reports and her own statements
Advanced Detailed Questions
5 How did she prepare for such a personal role
She worked closely with Lidia Yuknavitch herself immersing in the book and the authors life She also underwent significant physical preparation including extensive swimming training to authentically portray Lidias relationship with the water
6 Were there specific challenges mentioned
Yes Poots has spoken about the emotional weight of portraying real trauma and the physical demands of the swimming sequences which are central metaphors in the story
7 Did she have to learn to swim for the role
While she likely knew how to swim she undertook rigorous training to swim with the specific strength form and endurance required to make the athletic scenes believable and metaphorical
8 How does her performance compare to the books tone
Early reviews suggest she captures the books visceral fragmented and poetic natureits brutality and its beautywithout shying away from its explicit and difficult content
9 What has Lidia Yuknavitch said about her performance
Yuknavitch has publicly praised Pootss dedication and depth expressing trust and admiration for