Lovely French lady has a film
THE film screening is “Breathe,” they told me. It got César Award nominations, they told me. And
Mélanie Laurent’s the big name, they told me. Who? What?
To be nice — a rare moment — I went. I asked Mélanie about her role. “I’m not in it.” Who wrote the dialogue? “It’s all in French.” Where’d it film?
“France.” Why? “They wanted that.” Who’s the producer? “He’s French.” Name the cast. “José
phine Japy and Lou de Laâge.”
Having schlepped way downtown, this interview was going great. I then found she’s the cowriter and director, is beautiful, sweet, fun and superfamous in France.
“I spoke no English until doing the movie ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ I didn’t go to language school. I learned fast because to understand everything, I had to. In France we only speak French. Same here. Americans only speak English.”
Sipping Champagne, smoothing her sparkly Dior, Mélanie showed me a photo. “Léo. My 3monthold lovely little son. He’s in Paris with his dad. We’re kind of married, but no wedding yet. I’m only here four days, then right home. I love being here — and US food. I’m a vegetarian. Big breakfast. Omelet, potatoes, toast. But I miss my country.”
She said: “I began this project when I read its book at 17. Too young to do anything about it then, but the story of how in a moment two women’s lives can change, I never forgot.
“But directing made for nerves for me. I observed. Learned to adjust. My f irst reaction at the end was, ‘You can’t show this movie. It’s not good.’ I was full of doubts. But they didn’t change e anythi ing.”
Then n, still ho olding the Cham pagne glass, Laurent kept walking. She never spilledd a drop p.