Exclusive Trailer for Denis Côté’s Paul Depicts Dealing with Depression Through Tidying Up

      With his bold and intimate character explorations, Canadian director Denis Côté continues to build an intriguing filmography, returning this year with "Paul," a new documentary that will debut in the Panorama Dokumente section of Berlinale 2025. The film portrays "Cleaning Simp Paul," a man who takes on household chores for dominant women as a means to cope with his depression. We are excited to present the first trailer exclusively.

      Here's a brief overview: "Paul faces challenges with depression and social anxiety, leading a lonely, monotonous life primarily at home. However, as a devoted fan of Alice in Wonderland, he continually invents ways to brighten and embellish his world. In search of comfort and stability, he takes on an unconventional role: performing housework for dominant women. As the submissive 'Cleaning Simp Paul,' he breaks free from his anxiety-filled routine. Fixated on his Instagram profile, Paul immerses himself in a self-created, virtual therapeutic fantasy he terms 'Cleaning to Save My Life.' Each Instagram reel becomes a means for him to seek inner tranquility through pleasing his favorite dominatrices. Shot from a candid, impartial viewpoint, "Paul" offers a glimpse into the life of an eccentric yet lovable individual while providing a distinctive perspective on our sometimes quirky pursuit of well-being."

      “Similar to what I accomplished with my six strongmen/bodybuilders around 2017 in 'Ta peau si lisse,' it was essential for this to be a patient observational documentary,” stated Denis Côté. “I aimed to create a nonjudgmental film, as light and mysterious as Paul’s uncertain journey. Even after seven months of filming, during which I closely followed his daily Instagram reels, I still don’t completely understand what drives Paul in 'Cleaning to Save My Life.' I hoped to convey this mystery to an audience that may not be familiar with the concepts of simps or BDSM. Additionally, an important contemporary theme emerged within the project: the urge to maintain a strong social media presence. It's a world that can be addictive, obsession-inducing, malleable, and controllable. In short, a safe space.”

      Watch the exclusive trailer below.