Following her critically acclaimed performance in 2011’s The Artist, Bérénice Bejo is back in the hunt for Oscar.
The 36-year-old Argentine Oscar-nominated actress earned best actress honors at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Bejo fought back emotion as she picked up her award on Sunday for her starring role in Asghar Farhadi‘s French-language film The Past.
Bejo, who rose to international acclaim with the Best Picture-winning silent film The Artist, plays a wife who asks her estranged husband to return from Iran to finalize their divorce.
After the awards ceremony, Bejo said she was touched by the honor but felt uncomfortable with the idea of taking credit for Oscar winner Farhadi’s Paris-set family drama.
“It is special to get a best performance prize; it is for me and I cannot imagine getting something just for me,” said Bejo. “I would be nothing if there weren’t other actors, the director, photography, and all the members of the crew.”
“It is as if the film is being reduced just to me and I can’t envision that,” she added, speaking in French.
Bejo — who was born in Argentina and speaks fluent Spanish as well as English — is married to Michel Hazanavicius, director of The Artist, which swept the 2012 Oscars with five awards including Best Picture.
Speaking earlier in the festival, she said she received offers from Hollywood after the success of The Artist.
But she said the chance to keep working in Paris with “one of the world’s best directors” was more tempting.
She said the shifting perceptions in Farhadi’s films, where things are never quite what they seem, had drawn her to the character of Marie.
“For an actress it was quite an extraordinary experience — things appear true and then turn out to be completely different,” she said.
Bérénice Bejo’s future in the United States lies in The Past…
Sony Pictures Classics has landed U.S. rights to the French drama The Past, which stars the 36-year-old Argentine Oscar-nominated actress, at the Cannes Film Festival.
Directed by Asghar Farhadi, the film’s twisting plot involves secrets, lies, deceit, divorce, affairs, comas, pregnancy and other traumatic situations.
“This is a film that is so far removed from my life, from my everyday,” says Bejo. “But at the same time, it’s really interesting to play someone who is your total opposite.”
The ambitious drama starring Bejo, Ali Mosaffa and Tahar Rahim, is considered an early contender for the Palme d’Or, with reaction and reviews very strong after its screening Friday in competition.
Bejo, who earned an Oscar nomination for her star-making role in The Artist, stepped into the lead role after Marion Cotillard had to exit the project due to a scheduling conflict.
The film centers on Ahmad, a man who returns to Paris after four years in Tehran in order to finalize his divorce from his French wife. But his return results in a secret from his past being revealed.
Along with featuring the Oscar-nominated actress, the film stars Tahar Rahim and Ali Mosaffa.
Paris-based Memento Films Production produced the film.
Bérénice Bejo will be shining bright like a diamond (owner) in her next picture…
The 36-year-old Argentine actress has been cast in the French film Le Dernier Diamant, a heist film that follows an ex-con coerced into taking part in the theft of a celebrated diamond during an auction in Antwerp and who becomes entangled with the diamond’s owner.
Le Dernier Diamant, which co-starsYvan Attal, Jean-François Stévenin and Annie Cordy, will begin filming next week.
Bejo’s most recent projects include voicing the character of Mérida in the French-dubbed version of Disney’s Brave and appearing in the 2012 French comedy Populaire.
Inspired by a novel by Luigi Pirandello and written by Placido, the film centers on a woman who discovers she’s pregnant after being raped. She and her husband, who haven’t been able to conceive a child, are faced with a terrible choice.
“The Choice is not only a drama, it’s a powerful love story about these two people whose feelings for each other run so deep that they’re determined to overcome this tragedy and rebuild their life together,” says the film’s producer Maxime Delauney. “It’s an echo of Placido’s first film (as an actor), Mia moglie, un corpo per l’amore.”
The film is expected to begin shooting in late 2013.
She wowed audiences in her Academy Award-nominated performance in The Artist… And, Bérénice Bejo could have another date with Oscar in the near future.
Scheduling conflicts reportedly forced the lead actress switch.
Shooting on the hush-hush project, a yet-to-be titled French-language picture, is expected to start in October in and around Paris.
Details on the film, which stars A Prophet’s Tahar Rahim, are being kept under wraps. But it’s being called a picture in the vein of A Separation with an element of suspense.
The film is expected to be completed in spring 2013 – just in time for the Cannes Film Festival.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended an invitation to the 35-year-old Argentinean actress to join the organization. Bejo—who has appeared in The Artist, OSS 117 and Cairo, Nest of Spies—is one of the 176 artists and executives to receive an invitation for their distinguished contributions to theatrical motion pictures.
But Bejo isn’t the only Hispanic artist to receive an invitation … Here’s a look at the other Latinos to make the list:
Actors Demián Bichir – A Better Life, Che Clifton Collins, Jr. – Star Trek, Traffic Diego Luna – Milk, Y Tu Mamá También
Directors Rodrigo Garcia – Albert Nobbs, Mother and Child
Music Alberto Iglesias – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Constant Gardener
Short Films and Feature Animation
Jonas Rivera – Up, Cars
”These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”
Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy’s roster of members.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception in September.
Here’s further proof that The Artist’s breakout starlet Bérénice Bejo is one of Hollywood’s latest “It girls”…
The 35-year-old Argentine-French actress will reportedly serve as the mistress of ceremonies at the opening and closing ceremonies of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.
Bejo would follow actresses Kristin Scott Thomas, Monica Bellucci, Diane Kruger and last year’s host Melanie Laurent.
The official announcement on the juries, film lineups and visiting guests for the 65thedition of the Cannes Film Festival will take place Thursday during a late-morning press conference in Paris.
It may be called “Hollywood’s biggest night” as the entertainment industry’s luminaries gather to recognize the year’s best of the best.
But the Academy Awards could also be called “Hollywood’s biggest night of fashion,” with the world’s most stunning starlets strutting their way down the pre-Oscars red carpet in oh-so-haute gowns. And, Sunday’s Academy Awards proved no exception!
Here’s a look at the best dressed Latinas who pulled out all the stops at the 84th Annual Academy Awardsto shine brightest:
Penelope Cruz There’s no denying Penelope Cruz is one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, especially after seeing her bring some “Old Hollywood” glamour back to this year’s red carpet. The 37-year-old Spanish actress, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2008 for her work in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, dazzled in a custom, lilac Armani Prive organza gown with a fitted bodice. Cruz, a presenter at Sunday’s awards show, accessorized her off-the-shoulder stunner with Chopard jewels and a pinned undo.
Jennifer Lopez She’s known for taking risks on the red carpet, and Jennifer Lopez’s red carpet look at this year’s Academy Awards was no exception. The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge looked absolutely radiant in a custom Zuhair Murad couture gown with a plunging neckline and cut-out sleeves. Lopez wore her hair in an oversized bun and carried a Salvatore Ferragamo silver mirrored clutch.“I’ve always loved fashion since I was a little girl,” the awards show presenter told Tim Gunn. “I enjoy playing dress up.” And, during tonight’s show, she was dressed to the nines and lookin’ fine!
Cameron Diaz Cameron Diaz hit this year’s Academy Awards in a strapless, cream-colored Gucci gown that showed off her taut figure. The 39-year-old part-Cuban actress accessorized with Tiffany & Co. jewels worth nearly $1 million and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. Diaz, who served as a presenter during this year’s Oscars telecast, admitted the dresses train was a little heavy, but told Tim Gunn that it’s so masterfully crafted. “These dresses are works of artisans, and the way that they fit and the way they hold onto [your] body, you know who you’re dealing with when you put it on your body,” Diaz added.
Bérénice Bejo She may havelost to The Help’s Octavia Spencer in the Best Supporting Actress category, but Bérénice Bejo proved to be one of the night’s biggest winners on the red carpet. The 35-year-old Argentine actress and The Artist scene-stealer—who won the Best Actress trophy at France’s version of the Oscars on Friday—hit the red carpet in a beaded, mint green Elie Saab couture gown. Bejo’s copper locks and braided up do complemented the look, especially when juxtaposed with her dramatic emerald-and-diamond drop earrings.
