Festivals - FCAD 2024 : Daddio Impresses Deauville with Intense Dialogue and Standout Performances

By Mulder, Deauville, Centre International de Deauville, 13 september 2024

At the 50th edition of the Deauville American Film Festival, Daddio, the directorial debut of Christy Hall, made waves as one of the most talked-about films in competition. Presented by Hall herself, the film captivated the audience with its gripping narrative and the performances of Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn. After the screening, Christie Hall participated in an insightful Q&A, shedding light on the film's unique creation process and its personal significance.

Daddio tells the story of a young woman (played by Dakota Johnson) who hails a taxi after landing at JFK airport. Her conversation with the cab driver (portrayed by Sean Penn) quickly escalates into an exploration of relationships, power dynamics, and the complexities of human connection, all within the confines of a single taxi ride. The film, a tightly constructed two-character drama, explores profound themes such as vulnerability, trauma, and the fleeting yet impactful relationships that arise from unexpected encounters.

During the Q&A session, Christie Hall revealed that Daddio was initially conceived as a play. "I imagined it in a small, intimate setting, like an experimental off-off-Broadway production," she explained. However, as the project evolved, it morphed into something much larger, culminating in this beautifully executed film.Christie  Hall emphasized her intent to spark conversation and reflection, deliberately leaving some of the film's questions unanswered to engage the viewer's imagination and personal interpretation.

The Deauville audience responded enthusiastically to the film’s minimalistic but emotionally intense approach. Many praised Hall’s ability to direct a film that feels like a stage play but retains the cinematic qualities necessary to captivate the audience on the big screen. The chemistry between Johnson and Penn was also a major talking point, with their performances described as raw and deeply engaging.

Daddio is part of a diverse line-up of 14 films in competition at this year's festival, which includes several other debut features. This competition celebrates films that explore a range of social issues, from mental health to class struggles, and Daddio fits perfectly within this framework, diving deep into personal identity and emotional intimacy.

Christie Hall’s directorial debut has proven to be one of the standout films of the festival, both for its storytelling prowess and its thought-provoking subject matter. With Daddio now gaining international attention, it’s clear that Christy Hall is a director to watch in the years to come​ You can discover our exclusive photos on our Flickr page

Synopsis:
A woman taking a cab to JFK engages the cab driver in a conversation about the important relationships in their lives.

Daddio
Written and directed by Christie Hall
Produced by Ro Donnelly, Terry Dougas, Christy Hall, Dakota Johnson, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
Starring Dakota Johnson, Sean Penn, Marcos A. Gonzalez, Zola Lloyd, Shannon Gannon
Music: Dickon Hinchliffe
Director of photography: Phedon Papamichael
Editing: Lisa Zeno Churgin
Production companies: Hercules Film Fund, TeaTime Pictures, Raindrop Valley, Projected Picture Works, Rhea Films
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics (United States), Metropolitan FilmExport (France)
Release date: June 28, 2024 (U.S.), December 4 2024 (France)
Running time: 100 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville