“Freedom and singularity”, in Dinard, Arielle Dombasle reaffirms her passion for English cinema and the Olympics

Arielle Dombasle twirls. As soon as we sit down, she rushes to ask if we want some refreshment and is delighted when we join her for some herbal tea, hesitating to light a cigarette. Arriving in Dinard on Tuesday, the actress and singer this year chairs the jury of the 35th British and Irish film festival, which ends this Sunday and which she inaugurated on Thursday, unpredictably, with a little lyrical tune.

At her side sits her accomplice Julie Depardieu whom she directed in her last film The Secrets of the Princess of Cadignan, the actors and actresses Stanislas Merhar, Phoebe Campbell (House Of The Dragon), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Surface), Alba Gaïa Bellugi (3xManon) and directors Colm Bairéad (The Quiet Girl) and Charlotte Colbert. The preponderance of young artists in this jury delighted her. As soon as she sees one of her young shoots in the hallway, she interrupts the interview to greet them and inquire, motherly, about their day.

Together they will have to decide between six feature films, half British, half Irish. Historical stories (The Convert), isolation (September Says, Poison, That They May Face the Rising Sun), conflict (Bring Them Down), romantic (Unicorns). Despite a timed schedule and interruptions, Arielle Dombasle confided to Figaro everything that the seventh art from across the Channel inspired in her and returned to her memorable Olympic stage performance.

LE FIGARO – Are you a regular at the Dinard Festival?

Arielle Dombasle. It’s the first time. I had heard about Dinard, its mythology: this enchanted city which with this architecture from the last century, very seaside town of the Belle Epoque. A place in fact, extraordinary in light and inspiration. I knew less about the importance and quality of this festival. I really like British cinema, when I was asked to chair the jury, I said yes! It’s a very specific selection, they watch around a hundred films to keep only around ten.

Do you like the exercise of festival juries?

Absolutely. I love everything that makes cinema, the big screen and arthouse films continue to exist. As Francis Ford Coppola, the French critic, says, his thinking about what cinema is is properly French. She is quite unique, and, in her eyes, the most relevant in the world. It is true that around cinema, there is the fact of making it known, bringing it to life, celebrating it, commenting on it, analyzing it, but also of being passionate about it, that is the whole meaning of a festival! The members of my jury are absolutely wonderful, sharp, learned, talented, some very English, very elegant and the most cutting-edge “hype”. A mixture of eccentricity, acuity and quintessentially British fantasy.

Who are your favorite English directors?

Ridley Scott. Son Blade Runner is one of my most vivid memories. I love David Lean, his heady Lawrence of Arabia. How can we also forget the Trainspotting by Danny Boyle? Stephen Frears, Ken Loach, Kenneth Branagh… The list is long of these dazzling artists who come to us from the United Kingdom. I have a particular affection for genre films, Cronenbeg, Tarkowski or Dario Argento. He was a great source of inspiration for my penultimate film Alien Crystal Palace.

Have you had the opportunity to tour in the UK?

Yes in 1983 for the miniseries Secret Nights by William Lace, an Anglo-American co-production beginning in the 1950s and continuing over three decades. We were treated like queens and were able to film on a Crown estate, with a castle and gardens. I loved being able to portray a character from 16 to 40 years old. They were huge budgets, like what Netflix does these days. On the set there reigned a sense of derision, a sense of formula, a good-natured and charming efficiency. I really like the English.

This summer, you surprised with your performance at the concert given in front of town hall to welcome the Olympic flame.

This Olympic anthem was a wonderful moment. I received so much love, enthusiasm. I was told that it was the top buzz for 3 days until the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. We were also very happy to be able to shoot the clip at the Museum of Decorative Arts. Regarding the Live for the arrival of the Olympic Flame, it was great!! In total freedom, singing, techno dancing, Free style and invention, absolute singularity! Without sponsors or subsidies! Freedom !!