AUDREY BEFORE CHANEL

       Perhaps best known for her iconic role in "Amelie" French actess Audrey Tautou takes on another icon in "Coco avant Chanel" ("Coco Before Chanel"), a biographical drama tracing Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's rise from penniless seamstress and cabaret singer to haute couture legend.
       In the movie directed by Anne Fontaine, Tautou co-stars with Belgian actor Benoit Poelvoorde, who portrays wealthy playboy Etienne Balsan. While living as a kept woman on his country estate, she adapts his wardrobe and begins to show her trademark style of elegant simplicity. The corset-scorning, free-spirited Coco then embarks on a troubled romance with British indus trialist Boy Capel (American actor Alessandro Nivola).
       In this interview provided by film distributor United Home Entertainment, Tautou talks about the preparations she made to protray the steely and determined Coco.
       What attracted you most in Coco Chanel's personality? Were there mysterious aspects of it, things people may not be aware of?
       What attracted me most her strength. She lied about her youth-the fact that she was an orphan, a self-made person, how she grew up. She was so proud that she didn't want people to feel sorry for her. She wanted to be equal to others, and had a great desire to keep her past, her sufferings, to herself. I think that's what makes this character so mysterious and so powerful.
       The clothes are so important in this movie, they are almost characters in themselves.
       Yes, because she saw in clothes a way to obtain what she wanted for herself. She wanted freedom in her clothes. They are not accessories of decorations. Before, women were wearing decorations so that people could see that they were rich. Chanel was unique because she knew that elegance comes from inside. She was very clever, very modern, very attentive. So, she invented a new style for herself, She felt that the position and the condition of women couldn't remain the way it was. It was something very personal. She wanted to become somebody.
       Did you develop a taste for Chanel as a result of this project?
       I've always loved the Chanel style because the clothes are very feminine and very French. I was interested in the Chanel character, and with Anne Fontaine, we agreed to make a movie for people who are not crazy about fashion. That would have been too restrictive, and not interesting.
       It's a love story.
       Yes, because she is a very Romanesque heroine. Her life and her character are so unusual in that seh is more than what she did. Her personality was even stronger than anything she did.
       Can you talk about the two male leads in the film: Benoit Poelvoorde, who plays Balsan; and Alessandro Nivola, who plays Boy Capel?
       Benoit is really an excellent actor. I didn't know him personally but I had seen him in films. And Alessandro has an air of charm and mystery. The two men are very different, and it was very important for me to play next to them. Their characters were crucial men in the life of Chanel.
       She is sent away from Balsan's chateau a few times, but she always stayed. Is that because she had no choice, or because she had little pride?
       I think at first it's because she has no chioice, and also because she is very clever and cunning. She knows how to use Balsan. She knows he is the only way for her to discover this world. And she knows she can be someone.
       You've said you like to play strong women: did you feel she was a kindred spirit?
       I really admire her integrity, her cleverness, how she was very modern for a woman at this time. I don't know if I really look like her but I am not a person who compromises.
       And that is why you identified with Chanel?
       Yes, and I like her very much too because she managed in her way to free women.
       Did your view of Chanel change after this film? Do you think of her differently now?
       Yes, of course, Because I know her better, I am more sensitive towards her. I am very moved by her intelligence and humour.
       How did you prepare for the role?
       I read the books about her and I watched footage, but she was much older than the period we are concerned with. I wanted to see how she moved and the sparkle in her eyes. And I also looked at a lot of photos.
       How did you feel about the scene at the end, which was filmed in her apartment?
       It was scary because we were shooting on the mythical staircase with the mirrors, and it was the final scene of the movie. We had only one day to get it right so there was a lot of pressure. And there were lots of people from Chanel there too. So, I was very, very focused.
       Was it hard to leave the character when you finished the movie?
       No, it was a relief. I had to carry her toughness with me all along the way that was a heavy weight to carry. So I was happy to put it down.