ANA GIRARDOT ON CHILDHOOD

By Crash redaction

ANA GIRARDOT INTERVIEW ON CHILDHOOD: ANA GIRARDOT BUBBLES OVER WITH THE PEP AND EXCITEMENT OF A TWENTY-TWO YEAR OLD EAGER TO PLUNGE DEEP INTO LIFE. AFTER TRYING OUT AMERICAN DRAMA METHODS AND WANDERING THROUGH THE COLD STREETS OF NEW YORK, THE YOUNG PARISIAN HAS RETURNED AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND HER PLACE ON THE FILM SET, AN ENVIRONMENT PREGNANT WITH CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF HER MOTHER AND FATHER. ENTHUSIASTICALLY PURSUING A THOUSAND DESIRES, AND KNOWING THAT SHE CAN’T PLAY THE REPORTER, STYLIST, PUBLICIST, AND TELEVISION HOST ALL AT THE SAME TIME, SHE’S ATTEMPTING TO DON EACH OF THESE MASKS WHEN FILMING, WITH THE HOPE OF BEING EVERYTHING AT ONCE. AND SHE CERTAINLY SEEMS TO HAVE FOUND HER PATH…

Interview by Armelle Leturcq

How did you get your start?

Both of my parents are actors, so of course I grew up around film; I went with them to filmings quite often. Though I really liked writing short sketches and directing my own videos, the film business didn’t totally appeal to me… But at the end of high school, something clicked: I went to New York for two weeks for vacation, and a friend suggested I take a drama class with him. I went with him, telling my self: That’s what I want to do! After graduation, I went back to New York for two years to take lessons with the same professor, who was so incredible that I even became her assistant. Then I decided to visit Los Angeles to see what the film industry looked like there. Afterwards I came back to France, and I was incredibly lucky to find my agent, who offered me a casting right away to test my potential. The film team had been looking for the lead role for months; I tried out and came back for a second tryout with one of the actors. I got the part; it was great.

What was filming like for you?

Utterly marvelous; I was lucky enough to find a film about young people that takes place in a high school, and in just fifteen days we became a real class of friends! Some of us had already had a lot of experience, while others only a little. So we helped each other out a lot; a sort of Minivan came to pick us all up everyday, so the whole thing felt like a summer camp. It was also the director Fabrice Gobert’s first film, and everyone wanted to do their part to make it a success. Along with us we also had Agnès Godard, an extremely talented cinematographer.

What was your part?

My character is the pretty girl in high school; she’s not really mean to others, just a bit distant. I helped invent a past story for her with the director: she came from Paris to a smaller town, probably because of her father’s work, and she only expected to stay a short while. That’s why she’s not really interested in her fellow students, except Simon whom she’s in love with. When he disappears, she’s forced to interact with those around her, because they’re all she has if she hopes to find him… I was a bit apprehensive when I heard about the character, but it turns out she’s at the top of her class in philosophy, a really bright, almost timid young woman. In the end I liked her a lot.

What did you think of the Cannes Film Festival?

It was magical! Three days of Christmas… All the other actors and I were in a three-story house on the Croisette boulevard; it was like school was starting again for us. We received a warm welcome as soon as the first screening: at lunch, the producers ran to tell us that everyone stayed till the end of the screening and applauded, everyone really enjoyed the film. We went immediately to the photo calls and it was madness. The photographers shouting: here! No, over here, not like that! To the left! Then there was the screening that we all attended, dressed really well, while the sun was setting; that’s the first time we saw the finished product, and it was really quite touching.

Is it difficult to make an independent film in France? How did everything go for Simon Werner a disparu…?

I think it was hard for the director to get funding; but he must have had a guardian angel because everyone immediately loved the project and wanted to help make it a success. I doubt it had a very large budget, but everyone involved was very motivated and wanted to make something beautiful with the film. As for the distribution, it was shown in a lot of major theaters, though September is always a difficult month. What’s more, we were up against Resident Evil in 3D; during promotion I kept saying that no one was going to see our movie, but afterwards I realized that everyone saw it! (Laughs) Our project was different though, and we were the only ones presenting an independent French film that didn’t turn people off; the public was quite curious. Everything turned out well.

What first made you want to visit the United States?

I wanted to discover new things and find out what I was worth as an actress without my parents and French acting classes – not that I think the French classes are bad, but the classes in the USA really appealed to me. I had read several books about their techniques—the Actors Studio and others—so it was something of a dream for me. At first it was hard, I had to struggle with English on top of classes, but I learned everything rather quickly. Sometimes I had to stay until midnight; I was tired and wanted to leave, but I always forced myself to see things through to the end. I kept telling myself: if you don’t work, you’ll never get anywhere. So at the end of six months I finally noticed some real progress. Then I was ready to face French casting calls.

Did your parents, Isabel Otero and Hippolyte Girardot, help you out at all?

I never asked my father or mother to call a producer to get me a role, but I do talk about work with them, and they give me their advice on upcoming projects and their ideas about how to make the right choices. It’s a real advantage knowing people in the industry you want to work in; though it can become a problem if people start saying that everything was easy for you because someone pulled strings for you. I’ve already heard it a few times; and yet, if you’re no good on screen, no director will work with you! No one will ruin their film for a favor… Overall, everything has been pretty nice.

What other areas are you interested in?

I got into contemporary art in New York, because I was hanging around with artists a lot and went with them to gallery and exhibition openings… The art world is really important there; for example I was able to see a lot of Jean-Michel Basquiat works. Aside from that, I also really like impressionism.

Who are your favorite fashion designers?

I love Chanel, and I’m lucky enough to enjoy a privileged relationship with the brand, as they offer to dress me for every official event – they’re my favorite. Also Marc Jacobs and structured clothing in general. I really like the Céline and Chloé collections. They have really elegant items. When I look through magazines, which I do often, I look for styles that work well for me. I would never wear a dress that didn’t work for me just because someone asked me to.

What are you working on in the coming months?

This summer I shot a film in the Maupassant series for the France 2 TV station, called Yvette; I think it’s going to be quite good. A second period piece project would be a wonderful present… Then I’ll be shooting a few films beginning next spring. I like the environment on set; I’ve always felt comfortable there.

Following your first film, you’ve started receiving several other offers…

A year ago, when we finished shooting Simon Werner a disparu…, I told my friends that acting would be a real possibility once I started receiving scripts in the mail. It happened. (Laughs) Everything happened so fast, and I’m really excited to keep going! My father once told me that if I wanted work as an actress, the only advice he could give me was to be patient. Which I’m not at all… It’s true that we’re always waiting forever: for a casting, then the response, before finding out if the film is going to be made, then the shooting, editing, and finally the release… In the mean time I’ll start writing my own film to stay busy!

Do you have a concrete plan to write or direct in the future?

Yes, even though I have no idea what I’m worth in either activity. But why not create something with some film friends later on? It would be really enjoyable. I have a lot of ideas for movies that I keep in a notebook… For now, I’m focusing on acting, and we’ll see how the rest goes!

What parts of the world would you like to see?

I really like Africa: I was there for a month when I was younger. I traveled a lot during my childhood… I went to Cuba, Mexico three times, Costa Rica, Brazil… The other day I saw a commercial on TV with the ocean and waves, and it made me realize that I hadn’t seen any other water but the Mediterranean in a long time. I think that will be the next present I give myself; my parents always told me that I should spend my money on travel. Work to travel… It’s a wonderful idea, no?

Interview from Crash #54

Photograhy: Alexandra Catière

Fashion: Armelle Leturcq

Hair: Tanya Koch @B-Agency

Make-up: Phophie Mathias @B-Agency

CHANEL Grey cashmere cardigan with multicolor embroidered sequins, Lamb&Gold Embroidered metal open pumps and metal, enamel, gold & dark silver resine long necklace ERES Blue satin and black lace bra

CHANEL Black silktulle dress with feathers embroidered, lamb & gold embroidered metal boots and metal & black enamel earrings CHANEL JOAILLERIE « Premère » yellow and white gold long necklace, 18 karat,crimped with125 diamonds for a total weight of 1 karat and onyx

CHANEL Orange tweed coat, grey jersey T-shir, black used denim shorts, grey lamb open shoes and metal & black enamel earrings CHANTAL THOMASS Black Stays-Ups

CHANEL Yellow embroidered tweed dress CHANEL JOAILLERIE « Rayon de Soleil » White Gold Brooch, 18 karats, crimped wit a central diamond of 1.50 karats and 568 diamonds for a total weight of 8.41 karats. CHANEL HOROLOGERIE « Première » Steel Watch, crimped with diamonds, white rubber bracelet, high precision quartz movement and « Première » Steeel Black Ceramic Watch, crimped with diamonds, high precision quartz movement