Natalie Portman: "No Parisian ever walks around in shorts and even the children look very chic"

Natalie Portman, one of Hollywood's most loved actresses, is known to keep a low profile when not working, that's why we haven't heard much of her in the past months. Staring in a new campaign for Miss Dior, she's given a very candid interview where she expresses her deep love for Paris, where she resides now and her experience working with Christian Bale and director Terence Malik in their new film.

Her latest project is a movie she has directed herself, "A Tale of Love and Darkness," which is based on the memoir by noted Israeli author Amos Oz.



Does Miss Dior offer a positive image for women?

The idea of Miss Dior was to portray this free-spirited young woman who is both independent and anxious to indulge her passions. I hope as a woman that I can also embrace in my life that same kind of spirit and passion and that was a major reason that I wanted to be part of this campaign. The campaign is celebration of being true to yourself and not being limited by things other people try to impose on you. There’s a message of personal freedom and expression and it’s basically saying, “Be yourself.”





What kind of atmosphere was there on the set?

I wasn’t there as long as Christian, but we both had a lot of fun on the set, and we really enjoyed being able to work in a way that upsets all the conventions and usual techniques of filmmaking. It’s very liberating.



You’ve recently finished directing your first film, "A Tale of Love and Darkness." Did working with Terence Malick influence your approach?

I felt very, very lucky to have worked with Terry right before I directed for the first time. He reminded me that the rules of filmmaking are not necessary and the way we do things, the rituals we have, aren’t necessary and that you can find your own way and allow the mistakes and welcome the problems. Working with Terry was a gift in that sense. He opens your mind and your eyes to what you can accomplish in the way you tell a story that goes beyond the dialogue and how you can create the atmosphere that is going to envelop audiences when they watch the film.



Do you feel that your life has changed a lot since moving to Paris?

It’s so interesting to plunge into another culture and experience a different way of living. The city is so rich in terms of the architecture, the bookshops you find at every corner, the way everyone dresses so well. No Parisian ever walks around in shorts and even the children look very chic (laughs).



Do you feel that becoming a mother has changed your perspective on different things about how you see your life?

There’s a sense of greater responsibility and maturity that you develop very quickly. You know you’re beginning a new chapter in your life and it’s wonderful to watch your child grow and learn every day. I love being a mother, and this a very happy time in my life.

I also have a lot more confidence overall and that’s been why I decided to direct my first feature that we made in Israel last year. It’s been a big step for me and I felt honored to tell the story based on the early years in the life of Amos Oz, who is a very respected Israeli writer and journalist and who is a major advocate of a two-state solution. It’s not a political film but it’s a story I hope will bring understanding and promote dialogue which we need to establish peace.





Rest of the interview @ the source.

Paraphrased by me.