In late 2021, as Rose Glass sat nervously in a London hotel room, she pitched her idea for 'Love Lies Bleeding' to Kristen Stewart, who was in town for the U.K. premiere of 'Spencer.' Despite feeling starstruck and rambling through the meeting, Glass found herself pleasantly surprised when Stewart expressed interest in reading the script once it was completed.
Coming off the success of her debut film 'Saint Maud,' Glass wanted to challenge herself with a different genre and storytelling style for her sophomore feature. Teaming up with Weronika Tofilska, she crafted a wild romantic thriller set in the 80s New Mexico bodybuilding scene. The film, with Stewart playing the lead role of Lou, explores themes of passion, abuse, and murder, pushing the boundaries of traditional romantic narratives.
During a test screening in New York before its premiere at Sundance, 'Love Lies Bleeding' evoked a visceral reaction from the audience, described as ''Pain & Gain' for indie lesbians.'' Glass aimed to subvert the idea of romantic love as aspirational, delving into the darker aspects of relationships and human nature.
Despite the challenges of a larger, more complex production, Glass embraced the opportunity to venture into uncharted territory and explore her creative boundaries. As she reflects on her experience, Glass emphasizes the importance of pushing oneself to create work that is engaging and thought-provoking.
As she embarks on her next project, Glass remains committed to exploring characters who push themselves to extremes, challenging conventional storytelling and captivating audiences with her unique cinematic vision. 'Love Lies Bleeding' marks a bold step forward for Rose Glass, establishing her as a rising director unafraid to venture into uncharted and ambitious storytelling territories.
