GAUMONT FILMS - EPOUSE-MOI INTERVIEW
January 2000
Why did you agree to make this film?
The script, its structure, the fact that it was the director's first
film. Its construction is so much like a romantic American comedy. I
thought it was quite peculiar in the French movie world. It made me
think at Capra's movies…and I really wanted to work with Michele Laroque
because I like her vivacious spirit, her humor. Finally, I thought that
we made a curious couple and, therefore, rather interesting.
Is there something at the heart of this story that touches you?
Everyone takes away what they want from this story, but if there is a
lesson to be drawn from it, it is that when one begins a relationship
without a solid base... It is better to solve all the problems relating
to previous relationships. When one begins a new love affair, one must
try to have clarity about the past in order not to repeat the same
errors. In this movie, on the contrary, there is a serious problem
already at the beginning because Oriane's boyfriend commits suicide when
he finds out that she's in love with Hadrien, his best friend.
Even if it is true love between them, there is a time bomb in their
relationship; so clearly what they are building will fall into ruin
sooner or later. I was touched by the story of this woman trying to save
this couple. I often have the impression that in daily life people do
not fight enough to save love or friendship. The film treats all these
themes with poetry and humor. I also liked the despair of this man, who
is an architect wandering on buildings - Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe…I
loved this character, who's complicated enough to challenge me in this
role.
How does one go from the world of Patrice Chereau to Harriet Marin, a
newcomer in making a full-length feature film?
I do this with the same conviction, with the same energy, the same
challenges. You can work with someone on their first movie or on their
tenth, somebody who has won an Oscar or whose talent has been recognized
but, in the end, you face the same things. If there are questions, you
ask yourself about them before filming begins. If you don't do this
beforehand, surely the questions will arise during filming when it is
usually too late. One must learn how to anticipate problems.
In this film Oriane calls Hadrien a depressive maniac. Do you agree?
He's very depressed…he doesn't understand what went on. He lost his best
friend, he's losing his wife, he lost his job. He's lost, a kind of
ghost. He tries to forget his despair by distracting himself.
How did you play this lack of balance?
I don't know. It is difficult to explain. I work by experience. I learn
from everything I've done in my life and then I take that mass of
experience and apply it to my characters. There are revolutions,
meetings with characters as in Le Bossu, a character very well written,
or in Patrice Chereau's film, in which the role of Viviane has been a
really true experiment. These characters helped me in advancing as an
actor. In every film, I learn how to act. I try to do better. The
difference is that today I do it for myself, for my own personal
satisfaction, whereas in the past I tended to do it only for the
director. What a mistake!
This role allows you to play every shade in between comedy and
despair. I guess this must be a great satisfaction for an actor?
Sure, but it's not easy. Take, for example, the close shot of my face
while I'm crying and then suddenly I begin to shout with laughter.
It is Harriet Marin's first full-length film. What can you say about
her way of directing the actors?
She knows what she wants. She fights for it but she stays calm. Even if
she felt the pressure of her first film, she was very open to us actors.
What can you say about your partner?
We were very bonded. We stimulated each other like a ping-pong game.
Word exchanges were quick. She's very lively. It was very pleasant.
You also played with two young actors, Arnaud Giovaninetti and Audrey
Tautou. What do you think about them?
I like them both very much. Audrey is an actress who knows her trade
very well. She puts the scenes together. And Arnaud is the same. We
worked well together. I was very happy to work with them.
We feel you are at ease in comedies, especially when it is a bit
atypical like this one. Would you like more roles like this?
Yes, I would. But I would also like more complex roles, which I miss.
What would you do to save this couple?
I would spend much time waiting. Waiting and hoping that she still loves
me. Never let my fears and angst attack my hope to live for one day, one
hour only, this happiness so dear to me. Love is very rare. You must
recognize it before it's too late.
Question for the director: The couple is played by Michele Laroque
and Vincent Perez. Are they the first actors you thought about for these
parts?
Harriet Marin: I wrote the script without thinking about anyone special.
I thought about possible unusual couples. And, at a certain moment, I
went into the office of the producer and I proposed to him Michele
Laroque and Vincent Perez. He was so enthusiastic that I was immediately
convinced of the goodness of my choice. Since the beginning, he
supported me, and then I was lucky that both actors accepted
immediately.
[With special thanks to Cinzia Masina for her translation]
|
