Juliette Binoche, the talented French actress, recently shared her thoughts on Timothée Chalamet’s comments about ballet and opera. At a festival in Thessaloniki, she humorously remarked, “I thought cinema was a dying art,” after hearing Chalamet’s views that movie theaters shouldn’t end up like ballet or opera, which he feels are struggling despite artists’ efforts to keep them alive.
Chalamet’s comments stirred up quite a debate. Figures from the dance world, including Misty Copeland, voiced their concerns about his remarks. Binoche, initially perplexed by the fuss, later emphasized what truly matters: “What nourishes your heart and soul is what is important.” She underscored that film, like any art form, should connect deeply with audiences.
Her masterclass at the festival focused on her directorial debut, “In-I In Motion,” which chronicles her collaboration with dancer Akram Khan. The film showcases raw moments from their rehearsals and performances. Guy Lodge from Variety praised it for revealing the creative process in a unique way.
Binoche shared her journey into directing, a project that took her nearly two decades to realize. She highlighted the importance of trusting one’s instincts, saying, “Be yourself. Trust your intuition. Don’t try to be somebody else.” Her experience working with legendary directors like Leos Carax taught her valuable lessons about authenticity.
She also reflected on Robert Redford’s encouragement to turn her acclaimed stage performance into a film. His belief in her vision pushed her to pursue the project despite facing numerous challenges like funding and production. When she finally teamed up with producers Ola Strøm and Solène Léger, she realized there was a demand for her story.
While discussing documentary filmmaking, Binoche acknowledged her limited role, crediting her sister, Marion Stalens, for much of the film’s footage. She paid homage to Frederick Wiseman, a documentary pioneer who recently passed away, and praised the unsung heroes of the genre. “Documentary filmmakers are warriors,” she noted, highlighting their dedication to portraying truth.
The Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival runs from March 5-15, showcasing the powerful role of documentaries in artistic expression and societal awareness.
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Juliette Binoche,Thessaloniki Documentary Festival,Timothee Chalamet
