A Controversial Movie Inspired by a Real-Life Crime
Retelling a Riveting Legal Saga
Presented out of competition at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, Stillwater sparked controversy upon its release in the United States. The film’s storyline may seem strangely familiar to anyone who follows true crime stories. That’s because it is directly inspired by the legal saga of Amanda Knox, which began in Italy after her flatmate’s murder in Perugia in 2007.
Amanda Knox, an American student studying in Italy, was arrested and imprisoned for four years. In 2015, she was acquitted of the murder by the highest Italian court. This story, full of twists and turns, inspired Tom McCarthy, the director and co-writer of the film, alongside French screenwriters Thomas Bidegain and Noé Debré.
Matt Damon’s Riveting Performance
A Father’s Fight for Justice
In Stillwater, Matt Damon portrays an oil rig worker who travels from the depths of Oklahoma to Marseille to support his daughter, whom he barely knows but who is serving a prison sentence for a crime she claims she did not commit.
Faced with language barriers, cultural differences, and a complex legal system, Bill is determined to prove his daughter’s innocence. Along this personal journey, he befriends a local woman, played by Camille Cottin, and her young daughter, while gaining a broader understanding of his place in the world.
Behind the Inspiration
Tom McCarthy’s Personal Connection
When the film was released, Tom McCarthy shared his fascination with the Knox case in an interview with Vanity Fair:
“There were so many characters involved in the case that I followed closely,” McCarthy explained. “But the first thing that struck me was, as an American student, what would it be like to go to Europe for what should be one of the most exciting moments of a young adult’s life and find yourself at the center of this tragedy? This story had so many layers that captivated everyone who followed it… Who are the people who visit her, and what are their relationships? What is the story behind the story?”
The dynamic that intrigued McCarthy the most was the relationship between the young woman and her father. Working with his co-writers, McCarthy brought this fictional relationship to life within the framework of a true story:
“We decided to leave out the Amanda Knox case,” the director explained. “But let me take this part of the story – an American studying abroad involved in a sensational crime and ending up in prison – and fictionalize everything around it.”
A Compelling Father-Daughter Narrative
Exploring Themes of Redemption and Connection
“What interested me even more was what happens after the cameras leave, and what happens to the family,” Matt Damon added. “They came up with the story of a tough guy from Oklahoma who had a difficult relationship with his daughter and carried all that grief, shame, and pain. He damaged their relationship and is trying to fix it in the context of his daughter being in prison, feeling somehow responsible for where she ended up and what her life has become. So, I thought it was a very intriguing place for a film.”
Matt Damon showcases another facet of his talent in Stillwater, which can be classified as an auteur film, distinguishing it from his more well-known works like the Bourne series. However, his character in Stillwater exhibits the same determination. His motivation is even stronger as he fights to save his daughter (played by Abigail Breslin), rather than solely focusing on self-preservation.
A Clash of Perspectives
Amanda Knox’s View
On the other hand, Amanda Knox has criticized the film, accusing it of capitalizing on her unjust conviction and distorting the facts of her story. She expressed her concerns in a Twitter thread:
“By fictionalizing my innocence, my complete lack of involvement, and erasing the role of authorities in my wrongful conviction, McCarthy reinforces the image of a guilty person who is unworthy of trust.”
Stillwater and its Impact
Joining a Line of Adaptations
Stillwater is not the first film to draw inspiration from Amanda Knox’s story. The Lifetime television movie, The Face of an Angel, also elicited Knox’s ire, and she even filed a lawsuit against the network.
As a result, Lifetime removed a dream sequence that distorted the facts. Stillwater, on the other hand, differs in that the screenwriters draw inspiration from Knox’s story without attempting to provide a faithful adaptation of the real events.
Watch the interview with Matt Damon and Camille Cottin during the film’s presentation at Cannes: