Having appeared in some sixty films, French actress Juliette Binoche steps behind the camera for the first time with B-Z In Motiona documentary film chronicling the creation of the dance show that she presented on stages around the world about fifteen years ago. The idea for the film was suggested to him by none other than Robert Redford!
Juliette Binoche has just finished performing a play. V-Zin New York in 2009, when she was visited by the legendary American actor, who recently died at the age of 89.
“Il [Robert Redford] was waiting for me in front of my dressing room when I came off stage,” the 61-year-old actress said during a meeting with Montreal media on Wednesday.
“He pulled me into the dressing room and said we should make a film about this show. He repeated this to me several times, almost angrily. I told him, 'Yes, yes, I know.' I didn't have a producer at the time. But it came to me because it was such an exceptional experience. A month later I asked my sister [la photographe Marion Stalens] filming the last 17 performances in different directions, telling myself that one day I can use them.”
However, these recordings remained on the shelves for several years, until two years ago when a producer approached Juliette Binoche and asked if she had a project in mind that she would like to realize.
“I told them I had these tapes sitting in my closet for a while and I wanted to do something with them. They agreed. I had about 170 hours of material. So I spent a year and a half trying to find a way to tell a story around that. It was exciting for me to make those artistic choices.”
Self-transcendence
Juliette Binoche was 44 years old and had no dance training at the time the show was created. V-Z with famous British choreographer Akram Khan. This crazy and ambitious project was born from the desire to surpass herself, which has always guided her since the very beginning of her career.
“For me, the fundamental point of being human is to transform ourselves. If we cling to the past, we cannot develop,” insists the Oscar-winning actress for her role in the film. English patient.
However, the creation of the show was very painful: “Transforming your body is extremely difficult,” emphasizes Juliette Binoche. And the very fact of creating a show and learning a new art at the same time doubled the difficulties. With every performance I felt like I was going to die because the physical and emotional mountain I had to overcome was enormous.”
French cinema icon Juliette Binoche has enjoyed an international career spanning nearly forty years, alternating between French and English-language projects.
“Being able to act in English allows me to work with a lot of different directors and shoot all over the world,” she notes.
“It's very rewarding for an actress. But it's also a lot of work when you're acting in a language other than your own, especially when you have to use an accent. But that's part of the deal when you're an actress. We need to get our asses moving!”
- Movie B-Z In Motion presented at the Cinemania Festival on November 6 at 5:30 p.m. Juliette Binoche will also take part in a free meeting with the public on November 7 at 16:00. in Usin S.
