Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan says he's 'giving up' on cinema - Action News
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Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan says he's 'giving up' on cinema

Once named the golden boy of Quebec cinema, Xavier Dolan said he no longer has the strength to commit to year-long film projects.

Dolan points to directing commercials as his second act

Xavier Dolan poses for photographers upon arrival at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
Director Xavier Dolan says he is ending his film-directing career in an interview with the Spanish daily El Pas. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/The Associated Press)

Xavier Dolan says he's had enough of cinema and directing. In an interview with the Spanish daily El Pas published Wednesday, the 34-year-old Quebec director announced his retirement from filmmaking.

"I'm giving up on cinema and directing. I no longer have the desire or the strength to commit to a project for two years and hardly see anyone," the director of films including 2014'sMommysaid. "I put too much passion into it to get so much disappointment out of it."

Dolan added that he felt "tired and discouraged" following the release of his miniseries, The Night Logan Woke Up. The film was released in only four countries: Canada, France, Japan and Spain falling short of his expectations.

"I haven't gained anything with the series. I invested my salary in the production and my father had to lend me money," he said to El Pas. "The simplest solution is to make advertisements and build myself a house in the countryside."

He said he would still honour a contract with HBO for an English series before hanging up his hat.

Dolan's producer, Nancy Grant, declined to comment on his announcement. The Goodwin agency, which represents the director, did not respond to Radio-Canada's interview request.

Dolan has made several successful films, such as I Killed My Mother (2009), Laurence Anyways (2012) and Mommy (2014). He also directed the music videos for Adele's Helloand Easy on Me.

with files from Radio-Canada