Vincent Lindon, unfiltered
PostED ON OCTOBER 14, 2016 AT 11AM
In 2015, he spoke of his passion for Julien Duvivier. At the 2016 festival, he he pays tribute to the films of Marcel Carné in movie theaters. Rarely on the sidelines of cinema screens, Vincent Lindon expressed himself, unfiltered, at the Comédie Odéon in a morning discourse of over two hours with the public and Thierry Frémaux. The mâchon helped him loosen up, just beforehand ("The brandy did me in!" exclaimed Laurent Gerra)! Highlights.
© Institut Lumière / Photo Jean-Luc Mège
About his acting career
I've often told my friends, I'm getting better and better at something that I like less and less. What interests me in my profession is what happens before 'Action!' and after 'Cut!'. The writing, the relationships between people. The enjoyment of acting is too short and I prefer endurance. I only care about one thing: human relationships. And one thing I hate is familiarity. I don't do variety programs. Coco Chanel once said, "The minute you're fashionable, you no longer are!"
On his commitment to a director
My dread: to be a bad experience for the director. I sometimes scare them and I regret it. I have always considered that the actors do films with them. When I shoot, the director is everything to me; I want to speak only with him. I know of no more beautiful relationship in the world than a director and his actor. When it goes well, it's indescribable. Like with Jacques Doillon (with whom he just filmed Rodin). It's a profession that I find very touching.
© Institut Lumière / Photo Jean-Luc Mège
On his early career
My parents come from the grande bourgeoisie, I am an aristocrat. So I could afford to turn down tons of films, avoid lots of pitfalls. I decided to do only things that really appeal to me, to focus on quality and not quantity. Thanks to my mother, who knew everyone, I made my "début" at age 21 as the van driver of Gérard Depardieu's attire on the set of My American Uncle by Alain Resnais in 1981. We got along well - in the mornings he'd say, "How' my shit doing? How's my trash doing?" A little later, again thanks to my mother, who had asked them to find me something, Coluche called "I have work for your kid." It was crazy- I was with the whole troop of Le Splendid and my job was to test microphones! In fact, being self-taught, I used phrases by Coluche to start building my career. But to be honest, I never had a vocation; I think it's being passionate about work that counts. As Rodin once said: "Beauty is only found in work; without it, we're screwed."
On the passing of time
There are people who say, "You've completely calmed down with time." Not me! I'm more nervous before shooting a scene. I have less and less of a cool head for things that don't matter. Everything gets worse with time! When I'll have my first day of shooting on November 11, it'll be a tragedy you can't imagine! And I don't want to be an old actor!
© Institut Lumière / Photo Olivier Chassignole
Charlotte Pavard
