As a seasoned film enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I can wholeheartedly say that the upcoming collaboration between Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet in “The Flood” is an exciting prospect. Their portrayal of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI promises to delve into the complexities of their relationship, offering a fresh perspective on a historical figure often reduced to caricature.
Actors Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet are set to be honored with the Davide Campari Excellence Award at Locarno, an accolade reserved for exceptional acting careers.
“Canet expresses that he’d find it unfortunate if Melanie had to handle everything alone, and he’d feel uncomfortable being the sole one involved. He’s thrilled, though, that we’ll be sharing the experience together,” Canet shares with EbMaster before this year’s Locarno Film Festival.
In the opening performance of “The Flood,” directed by Gianluca Jodice, the duo portrays Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI, spending their final days in seclusion and poverty. Instead of her famous command, this time Marie Antoinette isn’t asking anyone to enjoy cake; she is merely struggling to stay alive.
“Laurent remarks that they are being taken into custody, and he realizes this is the final chapter,” says Laurent, who had built his entire perspective around Stefan Zweig’s book “Marie Antoinette: A Portrait of an Ordinary Woman.”
“She wasn’t dumb nor a party-animal, instead her spouse had no sexual desires. He was kind towards her, but she felt unstimulated. She didn’t hold any authority, and he lacked leadership skills. They weren’t villains; they didn’t intentionally inflict harm. Instead, they were as much victims – of various circumstances.”
After reading the book, Laurent “fell in love” with the oft-mocked royal.
“She points out that these women were married off at 14 to strangers, just like Louis XVI who had an innocent perspective on life. In the movie, their relationship is intricate as it’s filled with tender feelings. She admired him deeply, and he likely felt the same, in a unique way.”
Despite being a story that encompasses the fall of the monarchy and the French Revolution, “The Flood” is also a deeply personal, dramatic narrative.
Laurent remarks, “We’ve produced numerous films depicting these occurrences, and when you envision Marie Antoinette, it’s often scenes of grand celebrations filled with countless extras. However, in this story, all their wealth vanishes. They swiftly transition from being the wealthiest to the poorest within a span of 24 hours.”
Canet notes, “It adds intrigue. In his personal records, Jean-Baptiste Cléry penned down Louis XVI’s feelings about these events, revealing his shyness, isolation, and what seems to be signs of autism. He appeared particularly fascinated by locksmithing and antique clocks. When his father was on his deathbed, he foretold, ‘After me, the flood.’ This suggests that he was aware his son wouldn’t be capable of ruling France as king.”
Deprived of their possessions, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI now resemble mere echoes of their once grand personas. However, even though he struggled to embody the character, Canet found it challenging to portray the monarch physically.
According to Canet, we were experimenting with various makeup looks, yet I wasn’t satisfied. I felt it had potential, but it also concealed and restricted my facial expressions. I shared our results with people around me, and the feedback was positive, so I mustered the courage to fully immerse myself in the process.
Laurent comments: “When your makeup artist seems to make you appear less than your best… There’s a strange satisfaction in it. You don’t have to worry about looking beautiful or seductive; instead, you focus on the emotions you need to convey. It provides an incredible boost of strength.”
Previously, Laurent and Canet have collaborated with directors such as Tarantino on “Inglorious Basterds” and Ewan McGregor in “Beginners”, respectively. They also share a common accolade, having won the César Award. However, their careers haven’t always been smooth sailing; they still face challenges today.
Yesterday, someone was driving me, and while we were on our way, they started discussing my career. They mentioned that I’ve worked with Brad Pitt not once, but twice! It struck me as true, yet I’m currently experiencing a bit of self-doubt, so it might be beneficial to receive this award, as Laurent chuckles.
“From the age of 14, I’ve been working without a break, yet I feel incredibly fortunate each day, marveling at my survival. There are many actors who worked harder than me, yet they seem to have vanished from the scene. It’s a chilling thought, but I remain steadfast.”
Indeed, Canet emphasizes that “generating your own chances” is crucial, particularly when serving as a director.
“He expresses his desire to try out new experiences, stating, ‘I’m eager to explore realms I haven’t ventured into yet. The beauty of it is, I’m not tethered to waiting for the phone to ring.'”
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the art of directing, yet there’s something about acting that resonates deeply within me – it feels like a part of my very soul. I could be mistaken, but I sense I’m growing in this craft. The roles I’m being offered are becoming increasingly complex, and with each new character, I feel I’m uncovering hidden depths within myself.”
1. Canet’s films “Tell No One” and “Little White Lies” were hits, and he also directed “Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom.” Currently, Laurent has produced “Galveston” or “Wingwomen” for Netflix, while “Freedom” will debut on Amazon Prime Video in November. However, Laurent notes that there’s still apprehension among potential collaborators when it comes to actor-directors.
“She admits that, particularly in France compared to the U.S., she’s experienced a significant loss of projects. This is something she’s personally noticed.”
“Contrary to some fears, I won’t be bothersome on set or intrude with crew instructions. Instead, my understanding of directors deepens. While there’s a cost involved, I have no regrets. What I cherish most is the thrill of directing a film – the delight of having a vision and witnessing others bring it to life. Perhaps one day, directing will become as common for actors as acting itself.”
Or to do both at the same time.
“Regarding my upcoming film as director, I’ve been feeling quite nervous. A thought crossed my mind about taking on the lead role, but then I remembered many others have done the same. When I see Bradley Cooper in ‘Maestro,’ it doesn’t surprise me – it feels fitting,” she expresses.
“I haven’t had a role like this in quite some time; it’s been stirring emotions within me that I thought I might have lost – joy, sadness, and the thrill of true acting. Directing brings me immense satisfaction, but today, I savored the chance to return to the stage as an actor again.”
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2024-08-07 09:21