Filmmaker Daniel Lance explores 'states of desire' with Edmund White

Passionate and self-expressive, fiery and warm, exhilarating and fascinating are words that naturally come to mind to describe out French writer/philosopher, and filmmaker Daniel Lance.

With advanced work at the doctoral level, careers in academia, and careers in consulting, business, and the media industry under his belt, Lance has made a name for himself far beyond the Parisian literary circles. As a filmmaker he has directed and produced a wide range of interview-based documentaries. His philosophical and literary interests have led him to write books and articles that explore the nature of violence and desire in the works of such writers as Tennessee Williams and Jean Genet. This has led to his being regularly solicited as a guest speaker at a variety of seminars, conferences and classes around the world, notably at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Additionally, as a certified professional Aikido practitioner and instructor, he uses the principles of the discipline to teach and rehabilitate rebellious, violent teenagers and guide them away from a life of crime and delinquency, Lance has demonstrated that what Aikido has to offer in terms of corporal development and of conflict resolution can find many productive applications in many different domains.

Lance's latest project - a filmed interview with gay literary icon Edmund White - touches upon a subject close to both interviewee and interviewer: an exploration into nature of desire.

"Edmund White: Other States of Desire," produced and directed by Lance, is a 52-minute videotaped conversation (conducted in French with English subtitles) that features the two literary figures interacting in an unpretentious conversation that attempts to reveal the legendary White's definition of "desire."

Such a question is not new to White: in 1980 he published "States of Desire," in which he traveled the country interviewing and observing gay American men in the late 1970s to get the pulse of their lives and sexual desires.

In the documentary Lance re-visits White's take on desire through a series of well-crafted questions, which evoke memories and personal confessions, successfully captured in the intimacy of White's New York apartment (where it was filmed).

The result is a documentary that is both highly personal and universal in its celebration of "desire" as the most essential human emotion.

I sat down with him during my recent visit to Paris, France, to talk about his latest documentary, the vision behind the film, his relationship with Edmund White, and the motive that fueled his need to, perhaps, encapsulate the fundamental laws of "desires" that define the essence of our human nature.

Questoins on ’desire’

Mona Elyafi: How did the idea of the interview with Edmund White to be captured on DVD come about?

Daniel Lance: I thought it would be a great idea to make a documentary on Edmund White but do it in the form of an interview at his place with his longtime companion Michael Carroll. The idea was to ask him questions about "desire" but not in the way he already described it in his novels, particularly his book "States of Desire". I really wanted to challenge him to tackle the topic from another angle, literally and figuratively speaking. That's also why I titled the DVD "other states of desire" - it's sort of a passing reference to one of his books.

Mona Elyafi: Being a writer yourself, why did you choose to put it on DVD instead of putting it in writing?

Daniel Lance: It was just another medium for me to explore.

I love all the subtleties that the camera can capture whether it be in the attitude, body language, or intonations, it's all those different variations of communication. It's so many little things that visually say so much!

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Watch the opening sequence of Daniel Lance's just released DVD "Edmund White: other states of Desire" (in French):

Meeting White

Mona Elyafi: How did you meet Edmund White?

Daniel Lance: I met Edmund White years ago after he published his biography on Jean Genet. The focus of my first doctorate was on Jean Genet so I naturally reached out to him. It was published as a book, which was as well translated into English and Edmund was kind enough to write a beautiful comment in it. It reads:

"This is a brilliant and penetrating analysis of Jean Genet's writing. If the aim of criticism is to make the texts we know fresh and deep, then this study by Daniel Lance succeeds admirably."

He is a very kind man and I am blessed and honored to be part of his entourage of friends.

Mona Elyafi: What is it about Edmund White that appealed to you? Were you familiar with his work prior to meeting him?

Daniel Lance: I think he is a spectacular writer of immense talent and sensibility. His way to choose words, to describe people, to interpret the psychology of his character is just absolutely unique and exceptional.

Mona Elyafi: What is it about human "desires" that appeals to you?

Daniel Lance: I'm fascinated with the concept of mimetic desire and have, as a matter of fact, extensively elaborated on the topic in my first book. I primarily show how gay and straight people actually call upon the same mimetic patterns when driven by their desires. It's the phenomenon of desiring what others also desire; it's a projection of one's self onto the image reflected by the other. The overall message basically is that nobody should be condemned, discriminated against and/or hurt because of their sexual desire; because ultimately what counts is just the ethics.

A testimony on Gay life

Mona Elyafi: What is your goal with this DVD? Are you looking for distribution deals?

Daniel Lance: I just hope that a lot people will see this documentary and get a better understanding and perhaps an insightful glimpse at what motivates their own set of desires. It's really been a labor of love and I feel that as well coming from Edmund. Maybe I could also get a distribution deal with some TV networks that specialize in that niche?

Mona Elyafi: What would you say the overall message (if any) of your interview with White is?

Daniel Lance: It's about how desire works. How an iconic writer can understand desire and describe it. It's also a testimony on gay life, meaning a supportive endorsement of a gay way of life.

Mona Elyafi: You said you wanted to "materialize Edmund's concept of desire" - what do you mean by that? And do you think you've accomplished that mission?

What I wanted to do is have another way to look at "desire", using Ren� Girard's theory about mimetic desire.

Again it is the notion that we desire somebody or something because somebody else desires it.

Mona Elyafi: You're openly gay but do you, like Edmund White, identify as a gay writer/artist?

Daniel Lance: I think we do have to be openly gay since homophobia is coming back in France and in many other countries. We need to provide models and support to kids and teenagers who are struggling with the idea of asserting their sexual identities and feel left alone. I make it a point to dedicate my work, particularly my writings, to defending humanity.

Mona Elyafi: You're a fervent Aikido practitioner and teacher, what has that martial-art discipline brought you on both a personal and creative/professional level?

Daniel Lance: Aikido changed my life. I taught Aikido in prison and for a youth center I created for abused and violent teenagers. It's proven to be a productive way to overcome violence. What it basically shows is that the only true victory is the one we have over oneself.

Mona Elyafi: Have you ever gotten Edmund White to join the dojo?

Daniel Lance: Of course not! I told him about it as he's got a natural curiosity about all things in life but no, he never stepped foot on a dojo - not yet! [laughs]

Mona Elyafi: What are your upcoming projects?

I have many in the works. I just completed a novel, which is also in the process of being translated in English; I continue to practice and teach Aikido all over the world; and overall try to be happy and to share and spread this happiness around... to my boyfriend and to my public.

For more information and/or to purchase the DVD visit: www.lanceme-dia.com also http://daniel.lance.free.fr/