Juliette Binoche: A Life of Acting

 

BUSAN, South Korea - For Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche, the experience of acting is an experience of life. She produced and starred in her own stage production at 17 and then by the time she was 22 had established herself as a strong presence in French Film.

Speaking yesterday at the Shinsegae Cultural Center, Binoche, along with famed Iranian Director Abbas Kiarostami, were in town promoting their film Certified Copy. The film is Kiarostami’s first feature film abroad.

The two touched on a variety of subjects, including how they met, the director’s future plans to shoot in Asia, their relationship with the Festival Director Kim Dong-ho, working with British singer William Shimell on his debut movie, and even a rather touchy incident when a reporter asked Kiarostami’s opinion on the freedom of directors in Iran.

Binoche was very candid, often becoming humorous when responding to questions. She joked with Festival Director Kim Dong-ho about his ‘Tiger Club” and hoping to see him dance at the evening party they will attend together.

Director Abbas Kiarostami, singing Binoche’s praises as and actress joked that at time during the filming her performance in front of the camera made him “forget to say, ‘cut’”.

During her career, Binoche has won almost every award available for an actress, though she doesn’t take them for granted.

“I feel very blessed and happy. It’s (acting) another world that is risky and difficult,” she said.

As for her co-star William Shimell, who was making his screen debut, she referred to him as “the bravest actor I have seen in my life. He became an amazing actor.”

She also credited Taiwanese Director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, with whom she worked with on The Flight of the Red Balloon, as a major influence in her career.

“He changed my life, my creativity, my choices.”

Director Abbas Kiarostami also raved about her acting skills, and said it was a very special experience to work with such a star. He said the on-screen chemistry between the two was very special.

“I’m observing them in front of the camera. I forgot my job there. I was just watching them. I sometimes forgot to say cut,” he said through an interpreter.

As for Binoche, movies are not her entire life.

“I’m not a cinephile. I love nature and observing people in the street,” she explained. “I’m cautious what I see. I don’t watch movies on planes because they appalling.”