Elle Fanning - Member of the Feature Films jury © Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
Interview with Elle Fanning, member of the Feature Films Jury
Although she's the youngest member of the Feature Films Jury in the history of the Festival, 21-year-old Elle Fanning has an impressive list of films to her credit. Discovered at the age of seven in Babel by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, President of the Jury for twelve days, the actress talks about her visits to Cannes for The Neon Demon and The Beguiled, and the fresh perspective she wishes to bring to this Competition. Interview.
You were an actress in Babel, and now you're on the Jury of director Alejandro G. Iñárritu; how does that feel to you?
Yes, I was seven years old when I did Babel, and I remember that experience very well. My grandmother came with me, and we were in Tijuana in the desert, and it was so hot. I was very young, and to be on a film set with him at that age was something really cool when I look back. I found a picture on my phone of me and him when we were doing rehearsals at that time, and I showed it to him this week. Everything comes full circle: I never would have thought we would be here together on this Jury.
Are you happy to be part of all this?
I am still pinching myself for being asked to be part of this group. I'm trying to absorb as much as I can and remember every single detail of these two weeks, with these people I admire so much. Who knows, I might never do it again. I feel so proud.
Is your fresh perspective your strength?
I feel like even though I’m very young, I started acting quite early in my life, so I got to be on a lot of film sets with a lot of amazing artists and directors, so I can use my experience. But still, when I watch the films, I try to watch them as a true audience member of my age. Especially in my generation, we watch a lot of movies on the computer, a lot of TV…
You’re not trying to be from another generation…
No, not at all; I’m trying to be myself and respond to how I feel about the films in a genuine way. I try to be as genuine as possible. And I also think about what my friends, people of my age, would think about the film. Most of my friends are people from my high school, so they're not necessarily in the movie industry.
“I’m trying to be myself and respond to how I feel about the films in a genuine way.”
You are young but you already have a special relationship with Cannes…
Yes. This is my third time. I first came in 2016 for The Neon Demon by Nicolas Winding Refn when I was sixteen. The second time it was for The Beguiled by Sofia Coppola in 2017, and she won Best director. I feel that Cannes is so glamourous, the world of cinema shines so brightly here, and it’s a very welcoming Festival for film lovers. It’s nice that they accept films that are not so mainstream. These films really provoke thoughts in you. They are always looking for a new idea and trying to provoke the future.
What are your memories from the first time you came here?
I was eighteen, and it was supposed to be my prom night at my High school. So I missed my prom to come to Cannes with my date, a friend who was supposed to go to the prom with me. He's a huge film lover. I wore a beautiful gown, we went to the party after, and we couldn’t believe it… Also, experiencing the festival through Nick’s eyes was very exciting: Nick Refn is obviously a big part of this festival too, so he kind of showed me the ropes, told me how everything happens… I definitely grew up with that film, and the perception of the people changed as well after seeing it. It’s definitely a darker role, maybe an older role for me at the time, so I felt I really grew.
And with Sofia Coppola?
There were all these women. Sofia, Nicole, Kirsten… and of course Colin Farell, but there was really a girl-power spirit on the red carpet. I was eleven when I did Somewhere with Sofia, so it was very special to get to do another film with her. She feels like family to me. The Beguiled was a special film because I was 18 at that time, and it was the first movie I did without having my mom on the film set. I definitely had to grow up and be on my own and independent. Also that film is fun and kind of campy with Sofia’s beautiful storytelling and style, and I got to be kind of the naughty girl in that film, so I liked showing that side of me. We had a great time.
What is your next project?
I just did a film for Sally Potter with Javier Bardem, and I’m doing a show with Tony MacNamara who wrote The Favorite by Yórgos Lánthimos, so that’s another connection with the Jury. I will play Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. I like keeping myself busy; I’m more comfortable when I feel under pressure.
What inspiring character would you like to be?
I always said that I wanted to do a musical, and I got to do that recently. I would love to do a movie with my sister Dakota, so hopefully this happens soon. I just want characters that challenge me. I’m up for any challenge.
Do you have any words for your generation?
With social media, you compare yourself with others all the time. It’s the same in the movies, whether you’re a young filmmaker or a young actor. Don’t compare yourself with other people. Try to be unique, and people will respect you if you really have an opinion and a voice. We are a very loud generation. My generation is trying to be as truthful and honest as possible, and you can tell when it’s fake. Truth and vision are what really grab you, those are the movies that I love. Try to be yourself as much as you can. Don’t try to change.
