Of French Film Catherine Deneuve Turns 70
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013 ‘Ice queen’ of French film Catherine Deneuve turns 70 atherine Deneuve, who turns 70 next week, is tist in Marion Vernoux’s “Bright Days Ahead”, which one of a generation of mature actresses for was the surprise hit of the summer in France. The late Cwhom interesting character roles are no longer Bernadette Lafont, meanwhile, was at 74 the grand- a rarity. Judy Dench, 78, Helen Mirren, 68, Meryl mother who turned to drug trafficking to make ends Streep, 64, and “Amour” star Emmanuelle Riva, 86, meet in the comedy film “Paulette”. That film attract- have in recent years blazed a trail largely barred to ed more than a million cinema-goers in one of the their predecessors. At a time when many female actress’s last films before her death in July 2013. And actresses several decades younger bemoan the lack Michael Haneke’s hugely successful “Amour” featured of good parts for anyone over 40, Deneuve & Co have two octogenarians in the lead roles-Riva and Jean- found themselves in demand, at least in part due to Louis Trintignant. the growing influence of affluent, cinema-loving baby Riva turned 86 in February on the very same day boomers. she attended the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles as a Deneuve, often described as the “ice queen” of best actress nominee. Demographics are one possible French cinema, has appeared in more than 100 films explanation for the change in fortunes of some older and frequently addressed the issue of ageing in inter- actresses. According to a recent study by France’s views. “I don’t want to grow older than I am, but I National Centre for Cinema, the over-fifties now make A file picture shows French actress Catherine Deneuve don’t want to try to be very resistant to reality either,” up the largest group of film-goers, representing 34 posing as she arrives for the screening of the film “La she told one interviewer during the 1990s. More percent in 2011 — up from 14 percent in 1993 — and Grande Bellezza” (The Great Beauty). — AFP recently at this year’s Berlin film festival she cautioned well head of the 31 percent in the under-25 age the exception rather than the rule. According to that ageing was “not easy for a woman and still less group. “In the same way that there are teen movies, I Bastide, Lafont described her role in “Paulette” as “a for an actress, but it must not become an obsession”. don’t see why there would not be films about older magnificent opportunity for an actress of her age”, More than five decades after she first found fame, people,” said director Emmanuelle Bercot, 45, who rather than one among many opportunities. the actress-whose birthday falls on Tuesday-appeared says she would like to create a role for Deneuve. “She said she had had a big role in each decade this year as a harried restaurateur and ageing beauty “Older people are those who go to the cinema (and that) Paulette was the big role of her seventies,” queen in “On My Way” (“Elle s’en va”). In France, most along with the young,” she added, echoing the he said. Whatever the precise scope of opportunities which the Franco-British actress Kristin Scott Thomas findings of the research. But cinema historian Bernard for actresses like Deneuve, one thing is certain-they has said is leading the way in offering opportunities Bastide said he did “not think that all these examples are entering unchartered territory. Ageing has to be to older actresses, others are also enjoying unexpect- are the result of a general movement in cinema”. tackled “head-on”, Ardant told AFP. “Ie we should not ed longevity. Instead, he said he believed that good roles for listen to anyone. We must tame it, like death,” she Fanny Ardant, 64, has just starred as a retired den- women in their fifties, sixties and seventies were still said. — AFP As body ages, Chan longs for Hollywood’s full embrace ackie Chan wasn’t in the mood for proclamations. The This photo Hong Kong martial arts film star, who declared last released by Jyear at France’s Cannes film festival that he was retir- Roadside ing from action films, now says that after more than a Attractions decade of contemplating quitting, he is going to let his shows Robert body decide. “When I was 40-something the media would Redford ask me and then I said another five years, and then five starring in J.C. years and five years until now,” the Kung Fu actor said in Chandor’s ‘All an interview promoting his 2012 Chinese action film “Chinese Zodiac,” which was released in US cinemas yes- Is Lost.’ —AP terday. “Six more months and I’m going to be 60,” Chan said. “And I (will) see how far I can go until my body tells Redford fretted about me, ‘Stop.’” Chan, famous for performing all of his high-flying and physically punishing stunts, has appeared in more than ‘All Is Lost’ reception 100 films and now writes, produces and directs his own films in Asia. “I get hurt,” the actor said after 50 years of e’s been acting for more than half a Redford: I looked at my performance flips, kicks and punches. “It gets really tiring, not like it used century but even Robert Redford still because I couldn’t avoid it, (laughs), but no, to be.” The only real outward sign of aging in Chan are Hgets nervous showing off a new film. it wasn’t wow it was just, ‘Yeah, I remember some crow’s feet around the eyes. He is obviously in great Redford got a standing ovation when his that. I remember that; hmm. Oh, that’s what shape still, but won’t reveal his secrets for staying that way. survival drama “All Is Lost” premiered at the that ended up looking like.’ (Redford says he But as Chan starts to enter his twilight years he laments Cannes Film Festival in May. But the two- doesn’t look at monitors or dailies while how Hollywood typecasting may force him to begin using time Oscar-winner reveals he was worried shooting because “I don’t like being aware a stunt double for his acrobatic scenes as he believes how the sometimes prickly Cannes crowd of myself when I’m working.) Hollywood studios would never cast him in dramatic roles. Jackie Chan attends the premiere of Wanda and would react. Opening gradually beginning AP: During filming did you ever won- “I hope the audience, after they say, ‘Jackie, that’s a dou- AMC releasing’s “Chinese Zodiac” at the AMC Friday, “All Is Lost” tells the story of a lone der, ‘Whoa, what did I get myself into?’ ble!,’ they forgive me,” Chan said in his trademark broad- Century City 15 theater. — AFP sailor, played by Redford, facing his own Redford: I was so busy surviving that grinned and animated style. mortality after a collision with a shipping there wasn’t a whole lot of time to think. You pen, Chan believes. “Then I can continue (my career) because poor me, “Why?” he asks rhetorically with a sigh. “Because the container in the Indian Ocean. just had to do. You had to be there do it as nobody in Hollywood hires me to make a ‘Kramer vs. “The first time I saw the film was at the an actor. You had to get through it. There audience is just not used to seeing Jackie Chan doing dra- Kramer’ (or) like ‘Sound of Music’ - actually I’m a pretty ma.” Chan’s ideal roles would be in films such as 1988 festival in Cannes and because they boo were a couple of times when I thought, good singer - and nobody hires me to do this kind of film,” films there sometimes, even though you’re ‘Hmm, this is extreme,’ but you just do it and Oscar-winner “Rain Man,” which starred Dustin Hoffman as Chan said, referring to the 1979 family drama and 1965 a savant and Tom Cruise as his yuppie brother together on in a tuxedo, you’re sitting in a place that then you forget about thinking that. musical, both Oscar winners. “All we think about Jackie could boo something,” said the 77-year-old AP: That works for the part. a road trip, or 1982’s “Tootsie,” also starring Hoffman as an Chan: Chris Tucker, ‘Rush Hour’ one, two, and three ... actor who dresses as a woman to land acting roles. “It’s just actor. “When the film ended I thought, ‘I Redford: It was what was supposed to always action-comedy, action-comedy,” he said about the don’t know how this is going to go.’ I really be. The character is in charge of things in the ... my English is not that good,” Chan explains. That also “Rush Hour” buddy-cop film series with comedian Chris didn’t.” Redford also said his first viewing of beginning and then things happen where held him back from pursuing a role in “The Interpreter,” a Tucker that helped Chan cement his place in Hollywood 15 the film, in which he’s the only actor, he’s not so much in charge. 2005 thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn. Chan years ago. recalled the extreme demands of the role. He’s a little bit in charge but not much said his manager thought the role would be good but told “To be reminded of how wet you were so and then finally he’s completely not in him the amount of dialogue was too tough.