GARANCE MARILLIER IN CONVERSATION WITH GUIA ORTOLANI
You might have heard of Titane, the movie by Julia Ducournau that won Le Palme D’Or in 2021, and made Doucournau the first woman to win this prize as a solo Director. Garance is a key part of it and she plays Justine, a complex and quite adult role, considering this is one of the first movies she has ever acted in. Garance has that magnetic laid back attitude of a teenager, even though she is no longer one, and she flaunts an eclectic personal- ity, as she also embodys Marinette Pichon, famous french soccer woman player, in Virginie Verrier’s film out this year. As soon as I first saw her, I thought ‘Aquarius eyes’, in fact that’s her zodiacal sign, of which she has all the characteristics, being brave, determined and full of artistic interests. On this occasion, she told us about her growing desire of becoming a director, her future projects and her passion for fashion.
GO Ciao Garance, lovely to connect with you! How did you start your acting career? What fascinated you in the world of cinema to push you towards it?
GM I started by chance, my mother came across an advertising casting by Julia Ducournau but I was already immersed in this world from a very young age. Both my parents worked in the theater, my mother in production and my father as a musician. I remember that when I watched Vertigo at 11 years old, I developed a deep interest for acting, I couldn’t believe that Kim Novak could play two characters.
GO Through the films Junior, Grave and Titanium, Palme d’Or in 2021, how did your relationship with Julia Ducournau evolve? And what was it like to play in such complex films at such a young age?
GM Julia is my family, my friend, a big sister. Since Junior, we take care of each other and support in our careers and in our lives. We have created a blind and reciprocal trust that has made me feel safe even during the most complex and difficult shooting moments.
“I’m thinking about going behind the camera and becoming a director more and more lately, and working in a film by David Lynch is my biggest dream.”
GO You have often worked with women movie directors. Do they have common traits in their way of working and their vision?
GM No more than the male directors I have worked with. I choose people who have their own visions to share and a universe, characters that touch me.
GO Is there a director with whom you would dream of shooting and for which reasons?
GM David Lynch, it is my biggest dream. I love everything about him, his direction, his humor and his sensitivity. In France I like Virgil Vernier, Lola Quivoron, Mati Diop, Olivier Assayas.
GO Is there a particular role you would have liked to play and why?
GM I dreamt of playing a soccer player, in a stadium, doing celebrations, training for the role. Luckily, I had the chance to play Marinette Pichon in the movie directed by Virginie Verrier, which will be released on June 7th in France!
GO Have you ever thought about going behind the camera and become a director?
GM I’m thinking about it more and more lately.
GO What do you think you would have done if you had not been an actress?
GM I guess I would have stepped into restaurant or event management, something where I wouldn’t be bored.
GO What are your future projects?
GM I have two releases this year: Rue des Dames by La Rumeur which will be released on May 10th and Marinette by Virginie Verrier which will be released on June 7th.
For this February Cover story Garance is wearing the latest Fendi SS23 collection. Cool, minimalist, and colourful. This season, Kim Jones designs pieces that speak directly to the new generations. A young and fresh direction, where there is anyway continuity in the new FENDI silhouette. The collection represents indeed a new step in the consolidation of Kim Jones’ aesthetic. The colour palette spiced up by pop vibrant colours, a sense of pragmatism, blending functionality with luxury, and the straight, streamlined silhouette focused on minimalism… everything reminds of 90s, early 2000s. The same austere structuralism of the catwalk, made up of colourful lines that contrast with the concrete grey background, is a parallelism with the 90s minimal silhouette, made light and modern by the bright colour palette.
Read the full interview on Muse February Issue 61.
