Features

Juliette Binoche

31 Mar 2009 by intern11

This year’s Hongkong Arts Festival (February 6 to March 8) featured a raft of unusual performances, including In-I, a collaborative dance-theatre performance by Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche (The English Patient) and acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan. Before the two took to the stage, Jennifer Lai asked Binoche how she coped with criticism and the stress of being in the limelight.

With Hongkong as the first Asian stop of the tour, what expectations do you have of the audience, compared with the audience in, say, London?

I don’t know because it’s (only) my second time to Hongkong. The first time, I was only here for three days. Well, it’s been an adventure to witness how people react in different places. Audiences have been usually quite attentive most of the time.

What did you take away from the performance of In-I?

I learn to bend (laughs). I learn to shut my mouth. Because I was an actress, I was constantly saying what I was feeling and Akram didn’t like that much. So we had to find a common world.

Every day is a learning process. It’s never finished; it’s never accomplished. It’s a “present time” kind of a show.

That’s why we continue to work on it on a daily basis. And it’s a co-creation, which needs movement. It has to be in motion all the time.

Have you ever thought of giving up?

Oh yeah, many times. Because it’s so difficult. But I’m always amazed at the end of the show. By then, my dress is drenched with perspiration, which thankfully no one can see.

And there’s no time to rest. It’s a short show, but it’s very concentrated, intense on an emotional level as well as a physical one.

What is your reaction to criticism from the reviews?

I think criticism is a good thing because it pushes you to self-reflection.

Is there anything from this dance experience that you would take back to acting?

I don’t divide myself. It’s the same thing. Whether it’s painting, acting, writing, dancing or whatever, it’s still a jump, a link between a deep, sacred place and a place where you are exposed.

I’m interested in any form of art that’s got to do with movement. I feel like I’m acting-dancing. I don’t feel like I’m a dancer. But I want my movements to reflect the woman that I am.

You started out performing on stage in the early years of your career. How does it feel to be back?

It’s not that different for me. You still have to take this jump, whether it’s before a camera or before a live audience. I don’t feel I have to change the way I express myself.

When I act in films, I never think close-up or wide shot. Some actresses do actually but I don’t, because what is more important is to have the intensity there no matter what.

My parents have always been in theatre. I feel at home (there). In fact, I miss theatre more than the movies.

What has being in this show made you reflect on?

It’s made me conscious that what we call love is actually a secret intimate meeting place inside us. And the other person, as the partner, is pushing us to that place.

I believe the show is a result of our different responses to the partner who has led us to that intimate place. That’s what we call love.

And we always go back to it because of the intimacy we get with love, with our partner. It’s a relationship you can never get with a friend or with your mother or father. It’s very specific.

Even though you’ve been hurt by a certain relationship, you keep going back to it because it’s so special.

You’ve travelled to a lot of cities WITH In-I. Which is your favourite city in the world and why?

Hongkong! It’s interesting because the hotels here are full of air-conditioning. But no matter where we go, there are expectations. But the moment we go on stage, there are no boundaries.

I’m interested to see how the Japanese are going to respond to In-I. As you know, Japanese society has very different rules, and (this piece) is kind of provocative, so it will not be easy.

With such a busy life, what is your favourite getaway?

What comes to mind is Siwa. It’s in Egypt, near a white mountain, near the desert. And it has an abundance of lakes. It’s the quietest place I’ve ever been to.

I’ve never heard a silence like that. It’s so big, and the houses are made of earth and the windows of salt. The feeling is just magical.  

How do you cope with jetlag?

Water is the best thing for jetlag. And I heard from a Chinese doctor that shrimps and scallops are very good for you. You’re lucky that you have them here in Hongkong.

Do you follow any health regime, especially since In-I demands a lot of exertion?

No. My health regime is to eat.

Do you like Chinese food?

I love it. I went to a Chinese restaurant and it was wonderful. I loved the dumplings.

Do you prefer big fancy hotels or cosy hotels?

Cosy hotels because they exude a more homey atmosphere.

Where do you take your children for holidays?

Well, actually, they’re coming to China with me, and we’re going to go around Beijing and Shanghai because they’ve never been there before.


Jennifer Lai
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