We bring you the facts about the star of THE PAST…
THE PAST is released in Irish cinemas this week, and stars Bérénice Bejo as a woman whose life is thrown into chaos when her estranged husband comes to town, to sign their divorce papers. Bejo is perhaps best know for her role as Peppy Miller in THE ARTIST, so we took this opportunity to find out more about the actress.
Bejo was born in Argentina; her family relocated to Paris during the Argentinean Dirty War, when Bejo was three years old.
… Bejo’s father, Miguel, is a filmmaker and her mother is a lawyer.
Bérénice has done a lot of work in French film and TV, but her breakout role in English language films was in A KNIGHT’S TALE.
…Bejo played Shannyn Sossamon’s maid, Christiana in the film.
Director of THE ARTIST – Michel Hazanavicius – and Bérénice Bejo are married and have two children together.
… Hazanacivius has said that his wife was this inspiration for her feisty and charming character in THE ARTIST, Bejo has said that she tried her best to give back the gift of the role, through her performance.
Berenice met her husband Michael hazanavicius when she starred in his film OSS 117: CAIRO, NEST OF SPIES.
… The film is a parody of the spy film genre, and stars Jean Dujardin as a rather clueless spy in the 1950s.
Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo rehearsed the climactic dance sequence in THE ARIST for five months.
… Afterward, Bejo said; “It was really hard, and even now when I look at the movie I can’t believe how fast we’re doing it. Sometimes it’s like my feet still hurt.”
Bérénice Bejo is one of twelve French actresses to be Oscar nominated.
… Bejo was in the running for her performance in THE ARTIST but lost out to Octavia Spencer for her role in THE HELP.
Bejo was the host of the Cannes Film Festival in 2012. The year after THE ARTIST was met with rapturous acclaim at the festival.
… This meant that Bejo hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival, including the award ceremonies, at which the Palme D’Or was given to AMOUR.
Bérénice provided the voice of Merida in the French version of BRAVE.
… Taking over from Kelly McDonald in the English language version.
Bejo took the part of Marie in THE PAST when Marion Cotillard – who was originally cast in the role – had to drop out.
… Cotillard was still promoting RUST AND BONE when work on THE PAST started.
Bejo will next star in a French film called THE LAST DIAMOND.
… The film is directed by Eric Barbier and is scheduled for release later this year.
THE PAST is in Irish cinemas from March 28th
Words: Brogen Hayes