Elordi's Acting 'Breakdown' Discovery Revealed

Jacob Elordi, a Cartier ambassador, recently spoke at the first U.S. Cartier Cinema Club event held at Santa Monica's Aero Theatre. He discussed how watching John Cassavetes' 1977 film "Opening Night" helped him feel less "insane and alone" during his early acting career.

Elordi explained that the film, starring Gena Rowlands, illuminated the creative process of acting. He had previously experienced periods of self-doubt, believing he was having a "mental breakdown," but "Opening Night" showed him these feelings were part of the artistic journey.

This pivotal experience led Elordi to select the film for the screening, an event designed by Cartier to celebrate cinema and artists. He engaged in a 30-minute discussion about the film with filmmaker Sean Baker and moderator Kim Gordon.

While preparing for a new movie, Elordi found himself reflecting on the film's themes again. He continues to draw inspiration from "Opening Night" for its portrayal of the actor's search for character, finding it makes him feel more connected to the filmmaking process.

Filmmaker Sean Baker also shared his admiration for Cassavetes' filmography, noting the deeply personal and universal themes present in his work. Baker highlighted how Cassavetes, often called the godfather of U.S. indie cinema, paved the way for independent filmmaking.

Both Elordi and Baker emphasized the importance of taking creative risks, inspired by Cassavetes' career. They concluded that remaining true to one's artistic vision, even when challenging, ultimately proves worthwhile and essential to impactful filmmaking.