Emanuelle Béart

Emmanuel Béart is a true force of nature. As our society is increasingly defined by strong women, there’s never been a more important time for female voices to lay their claim. Emblematic of a legacy of willful women, Béart has helped to drive a shift in the status quo. She is an accomplished humanitarian and longtime champion of women’s rights, using her voice as a catalyst for social change and consistently shining a spotlight on rampant ageism, sexism, and racism, which have defined how we view traditional beauty. Here, Béart sits down with AUTHOR founder Oona, to discuss everyday heroes and why she won’t ever be quiet.

Oona: Who is Emmanuelle Béart?

emmanuelle — I can’t answer you... I’m still searching for
that answer.
Oona: When have you been most satisfied in your life?

emmanuelle — Not being satisfied is my permanent driving force. Oona: Who is your role model, and why?

emmanuelle — My grandmother, her love was unconditional. Oona: Tell me about an accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career and in your personal life?

emmanuelle — Staying free against all odds.

Oona: What’s your super-power?

emmanuelle — My pelvic floor.
Oona: Tell me about your childhood.
emmanuelle — I only believe in the present.
Oona: What was your dream job as a child and why?

emmanuelle — Being a cheerleader in Australia. How can you explain a kid’s dream?

Oona: If you could tell your younger self one thing you know about yourself now, what would it be?
emmanuelle — Find what you love and let it kill you. Charles Burkowski.

Oona: Who are your favorite cultural heroines? What appeals to you about them?
emmanuelle — My role models are everyday women because of their courage.

Oona: Looking back, what would you have done differently? What would you do again?
emmanuelle — Nothing. I owe all my achievements to
my failures.

Oona: What does success mean to you?

emmanuelle — Where you are is not who you are. Circumstances matter.
Oona: What are three events that helped to shape your life?

emmanuelle — One, two, three kids.
Oona: How did you balance being a mother and actress? What have you sacrificed at each stage of your career?

emmanuelle — I have never sacrificed anything for them, and maybe that’s why they are happy!

Oona: Is there an interesting fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
emmanuelle — Nobody knows anything about me. Even I’m searching for something!

Oona: In the past you have said: “I want to use all my
powers, open all the windows, all the doors...”
Are you still on the same path?
emmanuelle — I hadn’t realised that was endless. I learned to close certain doors.

Oona: What image have you struggled to get rid of?

emmanuelle — Fuck society’s image of beauty!
Oona: Looking at your career, what was the greatest role
you played? Who were you closest to, that you could
relate to personally?
emmanuelle — It’s as if you were asking a mother to choose
their preferred child! I’ve loved them all.
Oona: Define perfection. What does that mean to you?

emmanuelle — I can’t find an answer.
Oona: You have talked about being a voyager, and now after decades of travelling, where do you find yourself the most at home?

emmanuelle — On a Greek island without any tourists.
Oona: You have referred the importance of great men throughout your career and in your personal life. How important is it to
have a man in your life?
emmanuelle —Overtime,Idiscoveredmymasculinesideisaway to deal with the feminine side of men. This temporary inversion
suits me!

Oona: What is intimacy for you?

emmanuelle — Loneliness. Rupi Kaur said ‘loneliness is a sign you are in desperate need of yourself’.
Oona: Do you still feel acting is similar to selling one’s body? That once the money has been exchanged, a producer owns the actor or actress?

emmanuelle — Selling your body is nothing.The only serious thing is to sell your soul.

Oona: You always choose stories with a character you want to share and tell the world about. What attracts you to these roles?

emmanuelle — The necessity of being in the present. At that moment, in that place.

Oona: What is happiness to you?

emmanuelle — Happiness is when my brain shuts up!
Oona: Who was your favorite producer so far to work with and why?
emmanuelle — I am not a woman of producers! I’m a woman

of directors!

Oona: What does beauty mean to you?

emmanuelle — Beauty has no skin tone!

Oona: What would be your advice for women who are building careers?
emmanuelle — If someone is brave enough to tell you that they have been sexually abused, don’t reply ‘are you sure?’.

Oona: What do you think is holding women back?

emmanuelle — In a society that profits from your self-doubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act.

Oona: What’s your personal mantra?

emmanuelle — DON’T BE QUIET!

Interview by: Oona Chanel

Introduction by: Sebastian Perlman

Pictures by: Sylvie Castioni

Hair Stylist: Giulio Panciera

Makeup Artist: Océane Sitbon Ghoula

Styling by: Fanélie Patras

Assisted by: Iris Lepape