Kristen Stewart Debuts ‘The Chronology of Water’ at Cannes to Positive Reception

Kristen Stewart premiered her directorial debut, *The Chronology of Water*, at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 6½-minute standing ovation. The film is based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir and features Imogen Poots in the lead role, portraying the author’s life journey through trauma, transformation, and artistic expression. The story follows the protagonist from her childhood in the Pacific Northwest through various personal and emotional challenges, including toxic relationships and creative breakthroughs.

Co-written by Stewart and Andy Mingo, the film is part of the Un Certain Regard section of the festival. Supporting roles are played by Jim Belushi and Thora Birch. Stewart described the project as an exploration of rebirth and reclaiming one’s body and voice, calling it the most emotionally intense creative endeavor of her career. The film took eight years to develop and was described by Stewart as both painful and deeply meaningful.

Produced by CG Cinema International, Forma Pro Films, Scott Free, and Stewart’s own Nevermind Pictures, the movie is currently seeking North American distribution through WME Independent, while Les Films du Losange handles international sales. This marks another Cannes appearance for Stewart, who has a longstanding history with the festival.