Kristen Stewart, who began her acting career at the age of nine, has realized a lifelong ambition with her feature directorial debut, 'The Chronology of Water.' Released when Stewart was 35, the film is a deeply personal and memory-driven narrative, inviting audiences to connect with its themes of self-discovery and resilience. The story centers on Lidia, a young woman in the 1980s who turns to competitive swimming as an escape from an abusive childhood. Through the years, Lidia embarks on a journey of exploring sexuality, love, pushing the boundaries of addiction, and ultimately finding her own voice as a writer.

Stewart intentionally cast Imogen Poots in the lead role, believing she herself was not the right actor for Lidia. She describes Poots' performance as "a revolution," highlighting the raw and fearless nature of her portrayal. The collaboration between Stewart and Poots extended beyond the traditional director-actor dynamic, becoming a partnership in creating the art. This process profoundly inspired Stewart, fueling her eagerness to direct another project as soon as possible.

Stewart felt a profound compulsion to bring 'The Chronology of Water' to the screen, viewing it as an "opportunity to make a movie about every girl." She explains that while the film contains specific details of Lidia Yuknavitch's life, it's infused with an invitation for viewers to know themselves, listen to their inner voice, and understand that selfhood is inherently theirs. She drew parallels between her film and the works of Tarkovsky, David Lynch, and Lynne Ramsay, emphasizing its poetic, non-prescriptive approach that asks questions rather than providing answers.

Reflecting on her journey, Stewart revealed her ambition to direct predated her acting career. She sees little distinction between image creation and being the image, always wanting to understand the camera's perspective and serve the overall vision. While 'The Chronology of Water' was the project that finally "broke the seal" on her directorial aspirations, she expects future directorial endeavors to follow much more quickly, dismissing the "grandiose, really macho bravado thing that surrounds the director's status."

Her admiration for Imogen Poots' performance is evident, with Stewart expressing how Poots' lack of vanity and immense integrity allowed her to believably portray Lidia from 17 to 40. The director described their collaboration as a "seminal chapter" in their lives, creating "life memories" and a "tentpole" experience that will define their artistic journeys. Stewart also recounted the process of completing the film, describing it as a "jigsaw puzzle of emotional connectivity" rather than a plot-driven narrative. She likened releasing the film to sending a child off to school, trusting it to speak for itself, and expressed surprise and delight when it was accepted into the Cannes Film Festival.

Looking ahead, Stewart is "champing at the bit" to direct her next film, having three possibilities in mind. One project is envisioned to be expedient and buoyant, potentially going first due to its ethos. In addition to directing, Stewart has been active in acting, recently making 'Full Phil' with the unique filmmaker Quentin Dupieux. She described Dupieux as a "genius" with an impatient, fast-paced, and non-precious approach to filmmaking, expressing a desire to join his circle of recurring collaborators.

Stewart also has upcoming acting roles, including 'Flesh of the Gods' and 'The Challenger,' where she is set to play astronaut Sally Ride. 'The Challenger' has received a green light, a prospect that fills Stewart with both terror and excitement. She openly admits to believing she is a "better director" than an actor, finding the pressure and responsibility of acting for others more intense than directing her own projects. She hopes to direct her next film before returning to her acting commitments, preferring to "make the call" rather than merely "answer the call."