17/05/2012 - The French star talks about her performance as a woman who has lost both her legs in Jacques Audiard's Rust and Bone

Dazzling in Rust and Bone [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jacques Audiard
interview: Jacques Audiard
film profile] by Jacques Audiard (see the article and the interview with the director), unveiled today in competition at the 65th Cannes Film Festival (and soon out in French and Belgian cinemas), French star Marion Cotillard, stepping onto the Croisette for the first time with a film in the official selection, gave her first impression to the international media.

Her reaction on reading the scenario?
I was deeply moved. Normally, when I read a story which touches me and which I feel like throwing myself into, I almost always understand the character. But here, I had no idea who she was. I was a little bit scared and I talked to Jacques, who told me not to worry, that he didn't know either and that we were going to find out together.

A very dark universe and challenges to overcome ?
These characters are steeped in miseries which are a reality for many people. We all have a life instinct and we all share the wish to be happy in this world. This is what helps us to overcome difficulties and even tragedies.

What was it like to play a character who has lost both their legs?
It's a question of imagination. When I was sitting down, I was on an armchair. Standing, many people walk perfectly well on prosthetic legs in real life, but we had to find something more cinematic. So I imagined that my legs were made of metal. Since I wasn't a good swimmer, I trained hard and when my crawl reached a good level, I swam without the legs.

And your partner Matthias Schoenaerts ?
It was quite an intense dive. I have been lucky to work with exceptional actors such as Leonardo Di Caprio or Daniel Day-Lewis and Matthias is a huge actor who can play a vast number of characters. Because he is talented, in a way that can't be explained, but is also able to work, he has the need and the wish to explore.

Cannes ?
It's a legendary festival, with great films, great actors, great artists. It's the first time that one of my films is in the Official Selection. But the real recognition comes from those who will see the film.

(Translated from French)