Léa Seydoux has been building her reputation through american blockbusters for a while. Still, the actress from Dune: Part 2 admits that for her, working in European cinema is less of a struggle since she does not have to conform to the same aesthetic that Hollywood imposes on her.
“I Don’t Need to Fit in the System”
Léa Seydoux became famous within French cinema with movies such as La belle personne and The Life of Adele. Eventually, she was sought after by prominent directors like Quentin Tarantino, Woody Allen, and Wes Anderson. Today, the actress is quite notable in American cinema, having worked in the James Bond series and the follow up to Dune.
Nevertheless, even with her triumph, Seydoux stressed during a recent interview that success in Hollywood is a challenge. She talked about the problems of ageism and the image fascism that actresses are invariably subject to in the industry:
“I think it is quite harsh for women in the U.S. industry. Because upon reaching a certain age, it is quite difficult for women. I’m just not interested in any future where I am worried that my contract could be released at any time for not being ‘a hot commodity.’ In America cash is king, so when it gets to the bottom line, you don’t have much freedom left. I’m not comfortable with all the boxes having to be checked. Being on the screen, a woman is difficult in Europe.”
To this Seydoux claimed: “I have more freedom because I am a European actress which is to my advantage. I am not looking to be admired, I am rather looking towards enjoying it. In America, one adapts. I do not wish to assimilate into the system; I want the system to be tailored to suit me.”
At 38, Seydoux has not been shut out by Hollywood and she has already accepted that one of the things she thinks is great about American films is the scope to do characters which are “quite contrasted to what I have done previously.” Seydoux’s new film The Beast has its theatrical release set for March 27.