Kristen Stewart Says Her Directorial Debut Features ‘Incest and Periods’

Kristen Stewart is charting new filmmaking territory.

The Oscar-nominated actress, who most recently appeared in the thriller Love Lies Bleeding, will soon make her feature-film directorial debut with an adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir The Chronology of Water.

Speaking with PORTER for a new cover interview, the 34-year-old said the movie “is about incest and periods and a woman violently repossessing her voice and body, and it is, at times, hard to watch … but it’s gonna be a f—ing thrill ride.”

“I think people would want to see that, but then … I think maybe people wanna watch movies about, like, Jesus and dogs,” she added.

According to a synopsis of the book, The Chronology of Water explores “issues of gender, sexuality, violence and the family from the point of view of a lifelong swimmer turned artist.”

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The synopsis adds “… her story traces the effect of extreme grief on a young woman’s developing sexuality that some define as untraditional because of her attraction to both men and women. Her emergence as a writer evolves at the same time and takes the narrator on a journey of addiction, self-destruction and ultimately survival that finally comes in the shape of love and motherhood.”

Of taking on directing duties, Stewart told PORTER, “It’s kind of a self-conscious thing to talk about because it’s hard to get anything made.”

“As an actor, I’m called upon to serve other people’s visions,” she also said, of the difference in being in front of the camera and behind. “You get greedy; it feels good to be called upon … even if you don’t love the thing.”

“I think it’s nice that, as I’ve gotten older, I would much prefer to tailor my experiences to result-oriented goals, versus, just, ‘This is gonna feel good for me right now,’ ” Stewart added.

In Love Lies Bleeding, Stewart plays Lou, a gym manager in the 1980s who keeps mostly to herself until she falls for a bodybuilder (played by Katy O’Brian) who’s new to town. The pair get tangled up in crimes connected to Lou’s estranged father, Lou Sr. (Ed Harris), that tests their love and commitment for each other. The cast also includes Dave Franco and Jena Malone.

“I think we were shocked that we could even get this made,” Stewart told PORTER of Love Lies Bleeding, directed by Rose Glass. “Because it’s so weird. It’s violent and kind of irredeemable at times, but it makes you look; it’s scary. It’s confronting.”

The Twilight alum added of her role, “I kind of feel like, in the most dramatic moments of your life, it does get hilarious. … It’s an odd mix of tones. That’s why Rose is so f—ing good. You’d think that would be clunky.”