Léa Seydoux Made Four Films in a Year. It Finally Made Her Feel Like an Actor.

Vanity Fair: Did you find it difficult to switch between roles?

Léa Seydoux: Of course it’s not uncomplicated. When I play a role, I’m not like, “I’m possessed.” I’m not this kind of actor. I really try to be fully in it when I’m doing something. What was difficult is that of course I didn’t have the time to prepare as much as I would have liked to, because I think that when you arrive prepared, it’s always better. And sometimes I didn’t have the time really to prepare.

Does it feel different for you to act in French versus English?

Yes and no. In Gentle Monster, I also speak German. And it’s something that I find exciting. It’s a constraint, but for me it’s interesting to be able to act in different languages. For example, in Gentle Monster, I’m French. I speak English, but I’m French. So I kept my French accent, but I did another film that is not out yet, I have my French accent, but I did it more like British and that was fun too.

What language do you dream in?

In French. No, sometimes I can have a few lines in English, but I’m French and I dream in French.

Did you feel ready to go back to work for The Unknown two months after having a baby?

Not ready, no.

Did you have the baby with you?

No, because I wanted to breastfeed. I mean, I breastfed for two months and a half, and then I had to stop because it was too difficult. You can’t be breastfeeding and then be focused.

Was it hard to be in that headspace in Gentle Monster, which is a very dark story?

it wasn’t hard because she’s more like reacting. It’s more about her. It’s always like reacting to the situation. It makes it even more like the fact that it’s a secret and that it’s something that she keeps for herself. I love characters that have a secret. There is something that they are unable to express. I love to express things without words.

It’s such a wide variety of films. How would you describe what you’re gravitating toward?

I like films that are a bit crazy, I would say. For example, Alpha Gang, I like the humor, it’s surrealist, and there is a tenderness. Gentle Monster, it was really the part. I think when I read it, I had a very strong empathy for the character. And The Unknown, it was more like something metaphysical and philosophical. I like abstraction. It’s also because I felt that I’m different women. I have different layers and I like to explore all my layers.

What’s your perspective on the fame part of being an actor?

It’s comical because I feel that there is a part of me that really doesn’t give a shit about it. It’s not very elegant to say “give a shit,” but it’s true. There is something where this whole circus— I do it because it’s part of the job, but I’m not taking any pleasure. I mean, it’s comical how when I see actor and actresses, mostly, so obsessed about their image, I’m the total opposite. Of course, I want to feel stunning in a dress when I’m presenting a film, but it’s something that I don’t care about. For me, it’s more critical to be good in a film than to have the best dress on the red carpet. And now I feel that it has become such a gigantic thing. And I just want to feel good in my own skin.