Sophie Marceau: “As I get older I prefer not to think about it, but I still believe in love”

The funniest part of an interview often goes behind the scenes. In the case of Sophie Marceau, for example, right after her stop sign: she eats potato chips in an envelope and giggles like a teenager performing a series of funny faces while the hair stylist revives her hair and makes her look like a eternal girl. Via Zoom, wrapped up in an earth-toned oversized striped sweater, she looks a lot less than her 55 years of age. Or maybe she is alone the public that would still like to crystallize it The time of applesthe Eighties cult that launched it (for the record, he is still amazed that people not only remember him but also tell him about it). Blessing and curse, at least for her, who returns to romantic comedies with I love Americathe director’s almost autobiographical story Lisa Azuelos. Now on Amazon Prime Video, the story is about a middle-aged single woman leaving Paris to move to Los Angeles after her mother’s death. Her name is Lisa (of course) and she launches into experiences never experienced before, including dating apps.

In what percentage does the story of the film follow your own?
Lisa Azuelos: «This film has a lot of autobiographical references, as always. All my projects are very personal to me. In this the difference is that I have added my parents and perhaps it is more noticeable, but it remains as intimate as the previous ones “.

Some sort of therapy to analyze his life?
Lisa Azuelos: «For me it’s the exact opposite: I make films when I’m ready to share something, not to heal pieces of the past, that’s why for me it’s a healthy process».

It has been since The Time of Apples that we see her dancing on the screen. What is the biggest difference between similar scenes, but 40 years apart?
Sophie Marceau: «In the movies everything is fiction, but at the time of The time of apples I knew it. We were a group of kids who didn’t know what was happening and believed it and actually mixed reality with the script. Even if sometimes a film becomes truer than life itself: my memory and my body on the set don’t always understand the distinction and sometimes I get lost a little. I try to keep the spontaneity of the beginning, because now I am all too present and aware of acting. I would like to keep the spark of amazement alive, not to feel too comfortable with myself, to know how to listen ».

In the film, he bares himself physically and emotionally. Is it her way of exorcising the pressure of show business that asks women for eternal youth?
Sophie Marceau: «I prefer to avoid looking in the mirror, so as not to go hiding, but then I realize that it is the normality of things. I know I don’t control everything nor do I want to. There are situations you can’t do anything about, like getting older. Sure, I can eat healthy, stay fit, smile, not smoke, and try to lead a healthy lifestyle, but I can’t stop the flow of time: either I go with the flow or I stand in the way. At the moment I am still hesitant about which of the two options to choose ».

The truest lesson on love told in the film?
Sophie Marceau: «Love is everywhere and it is the only thing we need (quote i Beatlesed.) “.

Is there any experience that, at the last minute, you decided to remove from the script?
Lisa Azuelos: “Only if Sophie didn’t feel comfortable playing it because it didn’t seem to work. And I have always trusted ”.
Sophie Marceau: «As an actress you don’t have to agree with the character, the important thing is that she behaves consistently. I love Anna Karenina but I certainly wouldn’t throw myself under a train. Maybe I would call and ask someone to pick me up at the station. But I love her, as I love this character, Lisa: I never judge all these women because I put my heart into their shoes ».

Other stories of Vanity Fair that may interest you:

Pierre Cosso lives on a boat: «Sophie Marceau? How lucky to have loved her! “

Sophie Marceau, where are you with sex?

Sophie Marceau, love at high altitude