Garnering critical acclaim for her work in both Paul Verhoeven's "Elle" and Mia Hansen-Love's "Things to Come," 2016 was already a banner year for French actress Isabelle Huppert.
After earning her first Academy Award nomination for her performance in Verhoeven's film about a woman's complicated journey post-assault, Huppert spoke to The Times about what gives her nomination for "Elle" special resonance and what lies ahead in her storied career.
Q: Where were you when you learned about your nomination?
A: I just started a film yesterday with French director Benoit Jacquot, and it was during our lunch break today so I was alone in my room. I got a phone call from Michael Barker from Sony Classics, who told me I was nominated. It was absolutely great. Extraordinary.
Q: You had expressed interest in the film adaptation of "Elle" even before Paul Verhoeven was attached to direct. Does it make the nomination that much more gratifying that it's for this specific role?
A: It is, actually.
First of all, it's a French-speaking film. It's a Paul Verhoeven film, who I think is an amazing director but is a free spirit. He's not always liked by everybody. He disturbs people most of the time, but he's a great, great director.
So to have gotten this nomination for a French-speaking film with a Dutch director, Paul Verhoeven, it's just amazing. It's great. Now the film gets all this recognition, which I always thought it should have from the very beginning, and it's just amazing for me.
Q: You've had so many wonderful roles this year. Is it nice to have all of these films on your plate at this stage in your career?
A: It's always gratifying because you feel you receive it for the film itself and a little bit maybe for the sum of work. I think I managed to keep a pretty precise line, trying to make films that are as different as possible. I feel like it's the mission of this journey, and it's great for me.
That includes all the great American films I did ("Amateur," "Heaven's Gate"). I did few American films, but I managed them with the same criteria as I would have in my own country, which is based on the director, who is the main component of the ensemble, always.
Q: You mentioned you're currently filming "Eva" with Benoit Jacquot. Do you have a lot of films lined up for the future?
A: I guess I do have many others but I don't know. I might take a little rest because I've been working a lot. I did "Elle" and then I did "Things To Come" just after, and I've done so many, many other films, so maybe I'll take a little rest. Well-deserved, I would say.
Q: Do you have big plans to celebrate your nomination?
A: I will! I will celebrate with friends, not only today, but all the next days to come. It's a great day for me.
