In Binoche's Company

Hollywood’s never held sway with the French actor. Instead, her 35 year career and 60-odd films have been about great directors and daring themes

- Namrata Joshi

After taking two questions, Juliette Binoche turns to the press management team to ensure some silence. She is seated in a corner of the large room, on a yellow chair, being interviewed by a few members of the press, while the others wait at a distance. “Do you mind asking the people behind not to speak because I can hear them. I have a very strong ear,” she makes light of getting distracted by the noise. But you can sense that Binoche, 55, likes to stay on top of things; she owns the space she walks into.

The day before, in a matter of minutes, the French actor had turned around the stage arrangement for her Masterclass at the International Film Festival and Awards Macao (IFFAM), with the audience looking on in wide-eyed wonderment, as though it was yet another of her bravura performances. The interaction with IFFAM artistic director, Mike Goodridge, and award-winning Chinese director, Diao Yinan, of The Wild Goose Lake fame, found her at her witty best; unusually candid and unconsciously philosophical when talking about life and acting.

It would be cheesy to say that beauty and Binoche are synonymous. But facts can’t be contested. The star aura envelops her naturally, even clad in a black-striped suit. And the most hard-nosed journalists are putty in her hands.

A global take

There’s a sense of purpose in choosing the 60-odd films dotting an almost 35-year film career, not to speak of the lesser-celebrated theatre and dance gigs.