First News interviews Vanessa Paradis

French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis lends her vocal talent to the character of singer Lucille in the brilliant animation A Monster In Paris. In real life she’s also Johnny Depp’s long-term girlfriend!

Could you describe your character Lucille to us?

Lucille is someone who tries to do the right thing without upsetting anyone, while remaining her own woman. She’s both restricted and independent. She runs a cabaret, which involves a lot of responsibility and pressure, and she has quite a bossy aunt who likes to be obeyed. She wants Lucille to be a goody two-shoes, but Lucille still manages to do pretty much as she pleases. Above all, she loves being on stage. When she’s up there singing, it’s as if she were escaping the routine and restrictions of her daily life – which could explain why her stage costume has wings…

Did you enjoy playing her goody two-shoes side?

Lucille is not such a goody two-shoes: she is generous and sensitive and thinks with her heart first and foremost. That’s why she’s the first person to see beyond appearances and glimpse the magnificent soul that Francoeur possesses beneath his outer monstrosity (he looks like a giant flea). She helps and protects him when the police are on his heels, but the monster also gives her so much. When they are on stage together, she takes wing.

Were you involved with the film from the beginning?

Yes. It’s the first time that, as an actress, I’ve come in on an animated movie so early in the creative process. On A Monster in Paris, I followed everything right from the very first graphics that are supposed to capture your facial expressions and movements. We started by recording the songs in the studio. Then we got to work on the speaking voice of Lucille, the female character we had created from scratch.

In the movie, you speak and sing both in French and English. How did the recording of the voices go?

In 2005 we started by recording the music and songs in French. For the spoken text, we also started with the French version, before moving onto the English version. It was only much later that we recorded the songs in English. 

How did you ‘find’ Lucille’s voice? Did the images help you build your character?

When we started work on the movie in 2005, there was just the script without images or anything. So, the creation of the character came from the voice and her motivations. 

What is it like making an animated movie?

In animation, your performance can be much more over the top than in a regular movie, especially as speaking lines without being filmed removes a lot of pressure. You’re not thinking about hitting your marks and where the camera is. Animation relies more on instinct, and Bibo (the director) gave us a lot of freedom. He drew us into a playful, fun environment.

Just like Lucille, you have sung in cabarets. Do you still enjoy that?

It’s what I enjoy most. I have been lucky enough to perform in all kinds of venues, and cabaret and theatre is what I like most. I like old things – wood, sculptures, velvet – and you find all that in a cabaret. They are venues where the audience often forms a circle around you. You feel the whole space wrapping you up.

Who were your heroes when you were little?

My heroes were, and still are, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. I admire their talent as dancers, their charisma and stagecraft. They were so overwhelming, they could make me cry tears of joy and emotion. They inspired me to do what I do now. Then there was Marilyn Monroe, for the woman she was – her voice, attitude, body, strength and vulnerability, and her intelligence.

Did any monsters scare you in cartoons, movies or books?

The monster I found most scary when I was little was the invisible monster that followed you down the hallway at night when you came out of your room. As if by chance, he was always behind you. He’s not particularly impressive, with no face or body – an invisible force in the dark. Apparently, it’s very common for young children to be scared by that. 

A Monster in Paris is in cinemas from 27 January.

Get the Flash Player to see this video!

Comments (0)

---

There are no comments at the moment.

You may add a comment about this video by logging in to your account.