Florian Zeller's latest film, "The Son," the second installment in his trilogy on mental health, focuses on intergenerational dynamics and family relationships, particularly the one between father and son. The film also touches upon the role of guilt, family ties, and ultimately, love, elements that the writer-director drew from and is no stranger to himself.

A still from "The Son." [Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment]

Unlike Ang Lee's family trilogy, consisting of "Pushing Hands," "The Wedding Banquet," and "Eat Drink Man Woman," which was rooted in traditional Asian family values and customs and focused more on exploring generational and cultural gaps that exist between family members from the East and West, Florian Zeller's acclaimed stage trilogy explores the complex dynamics of family relationships, particularly those affected by mental illness, from a more Western perspective. His films are also centered around his characters' internal struggles and experiences, with the audience experiencing critical events from the characters' perspectives.

"I come from a theater background and have written 15 plays," said Zeller, a French novelist, playwright, theater director, screenwriter, and film director. "Three of them, 'The Father,' 'The Mother,' and 'The Son,' are connected. After every performance of these three plays, people waited for us, not to say congratulations, but to share their own stories, and they'd say 'I know what you're talking about because of my brother, my uncle …' and so on. I realized so many people were connected to these issues. Those post-performance conversations for 'The Son' are what propelled me to make the film."

Zeller's previous film, "The Father," was his first adaptation based on one of his previous stage plays and earned six nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture, going on to win Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor. Christopher Hampton, who co-wrote "The Father," also co-wrote "The Son" with Zeller. The film delves into the complexities of father-son relationships in a way that feels authentic and relatable while also addressing themes of forgiveness and redemption.

Hampton has no doubt as to the real-life value of throwing light on mental health issues through art. "The role of young people's mental health has been growing in people's consciousness for a while now," he said. "And I think it's really ill-understood; it has historically been an area where we've flailed about, not being able to find solutions. I think anything that contributes to the debate is valuable. I think this will speak to an awful lot of parents who have had inexplicable problems with their much-loved children. It's not a failure of love: The parents love the children; the children love the parents. But in the obstacle course that is adolescence, people are very vulnerable. It's a time when we have to be very watchful of the welfare of young people — often a phase that passes, but which is a dangerous moment in the lives of many children."

"'The Son' is a film I have wanted to direct for years," the director explained, adding that he wanted to examine what drives people to behave the way they do and how they interact with their parents and children. He believes that by examining intergenerational dynamics and patterns that are passed down from one generation to the next, he can help people understand what drives them. Zeller said, "I'm fascinated by these patterns that exist and are passed down, and I think it's essential to understand what drives people."

"The Son" tells the story of Peter, a father grappling with his own issues as a son, and his son, Nicholas, a struggling teenager with suicidal thoughts stemming from depression. The film then explores mental health issues that many young people deal with. "I feel that a lot of shame, guilt, and ignorance is still attached to these struggles. And, of course, such feelings and stigma hinder vital conversations. I hope this film will, in some way, add a compassionate voice to the discourse around mental illness," Zeller said.

The film stars veteran actors Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, and Sir Anthony Hopkins, as well as breakout actor Zen McGrath in the pivotal role of Nicholas. Throughout the film, Jackman and Dern deliver heart-rending performances that showcase the complexities of their characters' relationship. Sir Anthony Hopkins delivers a masterful performance, just as he did in "The Father," while Vanessa Kirby brings a powerful presence to the screen. In the end, Zen McGrath as Nicholas also delivers a raw and emotional performance that is likely to break audience's hearts, capturing the fear and desperation of a young boy caught in the middle of a dangerous situation.

For Jackman, an instinctive, emotional understanding of Peter was key. The actor, who was so impressed by "The Father" that he asked Zeller for a role in "The Son," explained, "So much of 'The Son' is about how damage from our own childhoods ends up playing out over and over again. Trauma is like a wildfire that goes through generations and generations unless you have the courage to really stop and really understand what's happened."

The Chinese poster for "The Son." [Image courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment]

"Suicide, depression, anxiety — all of these things affect so many people," Jackman continued. "It's a whole conversation in itself as to why. A movie like 'The Son' is vital to starting conversations. When we get our job right in storytelling, in moviemaking, in the theater, we open people's hearts and allow them to feel things and understand things — not just intellectually, but with every part."

Jackman also responded to the film's treatment of the dilemmas that confront all people in adult life, and believes that's why the film will resonate so well. "Florian is really brilliant at making you see how difficult these decisions are," he said. "How do you balance work and home life? Everyone is trying their hardest. Sometimes they're dealing with the way they were brought up; sometimes they're dealing with the society they live in; sometimes they're dealing with a situation they've never faced before, and feeling like they're on their own … What I hope and want audiences to get from this is: We're all in the same boat."

"The Son" will be released in China on Feb. 24 through the Nationwide Alliance of Arthouse Cinemas.

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