#and vesna’s voice is kind of a background that can be hear from time to time

[ronkoza]

Punks

Viola belongs to @theluckybard

[ladyonfire28]

(It’s been a while since i had not translated anything so here’s a new Noémie interview ! Thank you to the discord for sharing the full article !)

Noémie Merlant: “When something disturbs, it stirs up important and useful things.”

She starred in Céline Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire at the latest Cannes Film Festival, now she presents "Jumbo" at LuxFilmFest: a meeting with Noémie Merlant, an actress we will hear a lot more in the future - and for good reasons.

8 March: Women's Day or Lazy Day?

Women's Day!

Women in movies?

More, more, more...and more.

Eat what you like first or leave it to the end?

I eat all of it in one go - and what I prefer right away.

Shooting with a male or female director ?

Both.

A difference in sensibilities?

Of course, because we all have a different relationship to the world because we have a different story, a different background... And even between women, there are different sensitivities.

Joining the Sciamma/Haenel complicity on Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

A joy, an opening! They were both immediately determined to make sure they would be able to include everyone in a fluid circle where everyone had their place and to create a space for expressing themselves.

The deciding factor for the choice of a role?

The story, the script, if I feel emotions, an artistic promise, a point of view and vision. If it's an object or subject role - if it's a subject I go for it. And who is the director, who are the people who are working on it...

How to prepare for a role?

It's really specific to each role. Some people prepare more than others, and some prepare differently. But it's a phase that I love because everything is possible and everything can be designed and built. This is what makes possible to have a kind of framework - and the more prepared it is, the more freedom you have afterwards.

Staying in a character off-camera.

I stay more or less in character - even if I don't want to. It's more tiring to disconnect than it's to stay within the tension of the character.

The director you would like to work with for you next film?

Bong Joon-ho, I love his films so much!

To embody a sympathetic or disturbing character?

I like disturbing characters who take us out of our comfort zone, who take us on a journey. When something disturbs, it stirs up important and useful things.

To put yourself in danger, do things that scare you.

I don't like the feeling of fear. For Jumbo, I was more afraid of the ride than I was of Jeanne's complex role, which is a real challenge - an important and beautiful one. There was a fear of not being up to the task. But that's precisely when it's necessary to do it in order to take the audience to another place.

Afraid of amusement rides?

Even if it's short, rides are a nightmare! But in the end, "Jumbo" has reconciled me with a lot of people. of things.

How can we make this Jeanne accessible to the viewer?

To understand this love story, we must not judge it. We must not look at Jeanne as a curious beast, but to be with her and to feel her emotions. And you can feel this when you see the object come to life and see the real interaction between the two of them. So I put back all the steps of a real love story in there. I was also talking to Jumbo, I confessed my fear of doing this ride. During that last ride, I completely let go - and then I thanked him, which created the start of our relationship.

Jeanne, the girl, loves Jumbo, the amusement ride.

She struggles with relationships, but this object is neutral and a bit of a mirror of herself.

To explain you choice of roles to your loved ones and friends.

I'm here, I don't say too much and I can't wait for them to discover the film.

The first viewing of the film?

Usually I see it first with the crew - and it's always hard the first time because you look at their work. Like a lot of actors I'm very focused on the work I've done. It's at the second viewing that I look at the film as a whole with detachment - and where I enjoy watching it.

With time, are you more critical or more conciliatory about your work?

More conciliatory, because I no longer look at my work, but at the film. At some point, you have to know how to detach yourself...

Perfectionist or not?

I have an eye for detail. I like it when it's imperfect, when there are accidents. And I especially like the multitude of possibilities, I want to know all that is possible and therefore I will tend to go on and on and on and on...

To get behind the camera.

That's what I'm doing at the moment and I love it! It's another way of expressing yourself that you can't do in front of the camera. It also allows you to discover yourself deeply and in another way.

Shakira and Mi Iubita - filming with the Roma community and the power of cinema to give a voice to those we don't hear often.

There is some of that, but also a real attachment to people I know from this community. To show a way of living and to see the world that moves me a lot. They have this notion of freedom, and at the same time they are pushed aside from society - and despite that they still find a rather crazy freedom, they are in the present, in acts of courage, of tenderness.

A project without a big budget, a kind of freedom?

Yes, and it was also specific to that community, who is always in that kind of urgency and freedom: that and the "resourcefulness" side of the project - serve the purpose of it.

Are you more of a sedentary or a travelling soul?

I'm more a traveller, I move around a lot.

The importance of festivals?

Especially for films that don't have a lot of visibility at the outset, they are essential.

Cannes Film Festival, LuxFilmFest?

They're all important, it's not the size that matters. What matters is the beating heart of the festival and the love of cinema.

Red carpet: obligation or pleasure?

Rather obligation, but once you're there, there's always a pleasure to be with your team.

What is the importance of this family atmosphere in cinema?

For me it's essential - especially with this artist life, where you go from family to family.

How do you relax?

Dancing! It's the best way for me to clear my mind.

Your favorite author?

I love George Sand.

- Interview made by Vesna Andonovic for the Luxemburger Worst -