Isabelle Huppert has no dream role, sees every acting job an opportunity to be surprised

 

By Archie Liao

As part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of France-Philippine diplomatic relations, the Embassy of France is currently holding its 25th edition of the much anticipated French film festival. With its line up of critically-acclaimed French films, the festival hopes to showcase the universal human experience of love and sadness, transcending nationalities, ages, and geography through cinema. 

The film festival will have its theatrical run until October 30 in Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City. Included in the lineup are two of Isabelle Huppert's most recent works: Laurent Larivière's "About Joan" and Thomas Kruithof's "The Promises." In "About Joan", Huppert essays the role of an independent, unmarried woman reflecting on the various men she had loved and lost in her life and her steps moving forward. The actress graced the Philippine premiere of "About Joan" on October 22 in MyCinema in Greenbelt 3, with a meet-and-greet with the press. “It is great for our cinematography. 

It’s always nice to have news from abroad and I think that whatever it is, sometimes good news or bad news, it’s news. It’s a way of getting connected and cinema is a window to the world and it's always nice when that window gives news from you it’s wonderful,” Huppert enthused. As an acting icon who has achieved so much and reaped various international awards, she said that she has no dream role. "I want to be surprised by the challenges of every role I portray," she said. "About Joan" also stars Lars Eidinger, Swann Arlaud, Freya Mavor, Florence Loiret-Caille, and Dimitri Dore. 

In The Promises, she plays the role of Clemence, a town mayor who begins to question her ideals in her bid to climb the political ladder. The French Film Festival also features “Eiffel" by director Martin Bourboulon, “Lost Illusions” by Xavier Gianolli, “Farewell Mr Haffmann” by Fred Cavayé, “Notre Dame on Fire” by Jean-Jacques Anneaud, “Him” by Guillaume Canet, "France" by Bruno Dumont, "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" by Anthony Fabian, "November" by Cedric Jimenez, "The Time of Secrets" by Christophe Barratier, "The Velvet Queen" by Marie Amiguet and Vincent Munier, "Rise" and "Paris Memories" by Alice Wincour and "OSS 117:From Africa with Love" by Nicolas Bedos. 

The French Film Festival also features some Filipino films that have gained recognition from the French audience, such as Brillante Mendoza's "Captive" and Erik Matti's “OTJ Missing 8.”