Called a young Orson Welles by his fans, actor, director and writer Xavier Dolan takes aim at Hollywood with his audacious debut film, "I Killed My Mother."
The Canadian director is not one for imitation.
"I don't do other directors. I have plenty to say for myself," the 20-year-old Quebec filmmaker told CTV.ca.
Dolan's audacious, raging, narcissistic voice caused a sensation at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
His breakout coming-of-age drama, "I Killed My Mother" (J'ai tué ma mère") scooped up three prizes and launched Dolan's rising star on the festival circuit.
Dolan's other wins include a Best Canadian Feature Film prize from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle and a Lumiere Award for best French-language film outside France.
"When I stood at Cannes and saw people applauding my work it reminded me of every obstacle I overcame to get there. It wasn't easy," says Dolan.
The Montreal filmmaker invested every cent he had to write, direct and star in this tale about a 16-year-old gay teen who shares a turbulent relationship with his mother (played by Anne Dorval).
Hubert Minel loathes everything about his lower-middle-class mom -- the way she talks, walks, eats and breathes.
Right from the start, their massive rows and funny, vitriolic exchanges turn into a mirror for audiences.
In it Dolan lets them see their own conflicted feelings for those nearest and dearest.
Dolan's impudent teen hipster quickly lands in boarding school. Hubert also tells his teacher a whopper, announcing that his mother is dead to avoid doing a homework assignment.
Much of the dialogue in "I Killed My Mother" is drawn from Dolan's own conversations and rows with his real-life mother.
"Every artist pulls from their own lives to say what they must," says Dolan. "In retrospect, I realize that I caused my mother some pain by making this movie. I was younger then. It's what I had to do."
Dolan's immaturity is also evident in his script, which is repetitive and self-indulgent.
Despite its youthful flaws, The Hollywood Reporter called "I Killed My Mother" a "funny and audacious adolescent comedy from a talented beginner."
Variety magazine, too, dubbed the emotional fare in "I Killed My Mother" a multigenerational winner with audiences.
"I set out to make a lasting piece of art. I feel that I've done it," says Dolan unapologetically, particularly to those who say that success has changed the Montreal talent.
"I'm still the same guy, just busier," says Dolan. "I still love the same restaurants and films. Some people in the industry are jumping to conclusions and calling me pretentious. These are easy conclusions to make."
As for his age, 2009's phenom director tells his critics to get over it.
"I may be young as I take my first steps into the film business. But, I'm doing it with conviction and focus," says Dolan. "To focus on my age at the expense of my work is just plain silly."
