Various Swiss newspapers ran a story about Marion’s recollection of her time in Switzerland. I’m not sure whether these are actually new quotes or an old story being recycled because of the lady’s Oscar win. Also the publication cited as original source is generally not the most trustworthy. Anyway, a translation of this article – I found it interesting because I happen to live in Berne:

“I know Switzerland a little because I was shooting a film ['La Guerre dans le Haut Pays', 1999] with Francis Reusser there”, explains the 32-year-old to “Blick”. We spent 2 months in Interlaken – however I don’t have good memories of my time there. They don’t like the French at all there!”

But the ‘La Môme’ star discovered some cozy places too: “Geneva and the Italian Switzerland – and Berne. Such a beautiful city. Overwhelming!” She was only bothered by the Bear Pit in the city – and not just a little: “There I was, strolling around the gorgeous Old Town, then I crossed the bridge and was deeply shocked. How can the Swiss who are normally very ecology-minded – I love their health food and wholefood shops – allow something like that to exist?”

Berne should absolutely invite the actress to the opening of the new Bear Park: The bear will have an enclosure of over 6000 square meters at the hillside of the Aare river to roam around as of summer 2009. Cotillard would then be able to observe the “Mutzen” [local expression for the bear] from the terrace near the present Bear Pit as well as from the lane on the bank of the Aare river!

Mariana finished her translation of the many quotes of former coleagues of Marion Cotillard, as well as from friends, currently featured in French Première. Many thanks again! Read the full batch here

“Marion surprised me: she could have played in silent films. She has the simplicity and the openness that I expect from an actress. We shot Big Fish in Alabama – a special place, very crazy. In that kind of environment, it’s very important to work as a clan. The entire crew adored Marion.”
Tim Burton, director of Big Fish

Then, many thanks for US Premiere staff member Jenni Miller for the heads up on their Oscar coverage. They have a Marion interview up on their site, Up close with the Oscar Nominees.

And K found a quote by George Clooney, as featured in a recent interview with TIME Magazine:

The actor was also impressed by La Vie En Rose’s Marion Cotillard. “[She] does an old person trying to be young, instead of what everyone does – a young person trying to be old,” he says. “It’s a stunning performance.”
(source)

Remember to watch Canal+ if you live in France or else visit their website tonight at around 8.50pm European time for news of the César Awards. I can’t wait to see what happens!

2 days to go till the Césars are handed out – and only 4 days till the Oscars are here. What will the weekend bring for Marion Cotillard? 99.9% she’ll win a César. How many French awards are out there? She won at the Cabourg Romantic Film Festival, was awarded 2 NRJ awards by the French public and won the Prix Lumière. However, fellow César-nominee Cécile de France won Best Actress at the Globes de Cristal and Marion had to share the Etoile d’Or – handed out by French critics – with another fellow César-nominee: Isabelle Carré. La Môme – or as it’s known internationally La Vie en Rose – came to French cinemas more than a year ago. Could it be that the French have already forgotten Marion’s excellent performance? I dare say they haven’t. And how could Marion not win the biggest award in her home country when she’s winning major awards abroad?

As for the Oscar I am still hopeful. All the votes are in and being counted right now. Who will be named Best Actress? All the ‘insider’ publications and ‘movie buff’ blogs say it’s going to be either Julie Christie or Marion Cotillard. Whenever the general public has a say in it Ellen Page comes up as well. I seriously think Marion has a chance of winning Best Actress and it would be very well deserved. Out of the many articles about Oscar predictions you can read online you might want to check out this Reuters article (thanks Asia) that puts Marion in the spotlight.

Whatever happens this weekend I’m sure Marion will savour every minute of it! Surely no win or loss can improve or lessen her magnifique performance. She’s always been a talented actress and regardless of what Film Academies and the like have to say now she will always continue to shine!

See a scan from British Evening Standard magazine about Marion’s fashion style this season here . Remember that all the scans and many other pictures in the gallery are HQ – but only registered and logged-in visitors are able to see the full versions.

Thanks to Mariana from Eva Green Web you can read the first batch of those quotes from the current French Première magazine in English here. Many thanks!

I’m still working hard behind the scenes to give you the rest of the picture & video coverage of Marion Cotillard at the Bafta and London Film Critics Circle awards last week. In the meantime, enjoy a lovely interview over at Access Hollywood, recorded after the Oscar Luncheon.

[edit] The previously announced AMC Shootout interview is out: Watch the 2 parts: The Oscar Journey and Energy Creates Voice. Tune in February 15, 10.30pm for the full Oscar Nominee Special. [/edit]

Irish newspaper Rté calls Marion a sweetheart:

Marion Cotillard – a sweetheart, as bouncingly enthusiastic on the red carpet as she was during her acceptance speech later in the evening – and genuinely shocked to be there at all.

I added the article from this month’s Men’s Vogue to the press archive (scans coming soon):

I use the music. It helps me to go into certain emotions. But I don’t use my job as therapy. I feel more like an anthropologist of the inside of the human being, a speleologist!

Ever wondered where Marion’s fantastic red carpet style comes from? People asked her about it: “My French publicist, who is one of my best friends. He does all that stuff!”

Another article I’ve come across mentions Canadian musician Hawksley Workman (recently?) having spent “some time in Los Angeles working and writing songs with Golden Globe winning actress Marion Cotillard”. Let’s stay tuned for more info on that! It certainly sounds intriguing!

To finish this post a TV alert for our French friends: Remember to mark Wednesday, March 14 in your diaries! Canal + will be dedicating that evening to Marion Cotillard. After airing La Môme you’ll be able to enjoy a documentary by Bastien Duval called “Mon clown”. As of 11.10pm on March 14 you’ll be able to follow Marion around the world on her year-long promotion tour for La Vie en Rose! (source)

Daniel Day-Lewis – who won a Leading Actor BAFTA last night – loves Marion Cotillard:

Out of the four, it was Cotillard’s that took most by surprise.

“It has been the most incredible adventure,” said the 32-year-old in an emotional speech. “I loved very single second.”

Collecting his prize, Daniel Day-Lewis paid his own tribute to the French star.
“Never mind all the other qualities in her astonishing performance,” he said. “For sheer balls alone, I feel Marion should have this award as well.”

From BBC Press Release

Before I can add my own scans of this issue to the site – I’ve already payed for it it only needs to arrive in my letterbox – here’s a HQ scan by the LiveJournal Oh No They Didn’t!

(View scans of all the other features here)

Many thanks to Riikka – who runs a website for fellow ‘Hitchcock’ star Scarlett Johansson – about the heads-up to this interesting Making Of video clip of the afore-mentioned Vanity Fair issue: Watch Marion Cotillard acting out a scene from Psycho.

She also sent in screencaptures. Many thanks! I so can’t wait for this issue to hit newsstands!

Welcome to 2008! We would like to spend the first day of the new year looking back on 2007. What a year for Marion Cotillard! Promotion for La Vie en Rose in France started in January, the film had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February and then continued to be released in one country after another. Marion Cotillard accompanied the promotion team around the globe. Final stop was Japan – she only skipped the South America tour. Afterwards she started to support Picturehouse‘s awards campaign. We’ve been treated to some amazing news & picture coverage meanwhile and let’s all hope when the Oscar nominations will be announced next month Marion’s name will be among them!

Marion Cotillard: Best of 2007 (Read full story to see full list)

Compiled by the Magnifique Marion Cotillard staff. Please feel free to post your own choices here or at the forum. Idea inspired by our friends Riikka and Mycah.

Best news:
Both agree: The countless awards and nominations. It’s great to see Marion Cotillard being recognized for her amazing performance in La Vie en Rose. She so deserves the international break-through!

Worst news:
Both agree: The delay of the production for Nine – it will take forever until we get to see Marion in something new.

Favourite magazine cover:

Maria: Simply a perfect cover!

Read the rest of this page »

I don’t know about you but I just love hearing what people from within the film industry say about their colleagues. So here some more quotes I found:

And Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose. I think that’s one of the most extraordinary performances I’ve ever seen.

by Keira Knightley, source

Diva expert Charles Busch has channeled everyone from Joan Crawford to Judy Garland into his plays, including Off Broadway’s current “Die Mommie Die!” He calls Edith Piaf one of his favorite femme icons.”I’m always leery to see a movie about someone I know a lot about,” Busch cautions, “but I was fascinated with ‘La Vie en rose.’ What fascinates people about Garland and Piaf is their fragility and their tragedy. With both of them, what we really respond to is this triumph of will, the fragile, wounded person who somehow belts out the huge note and survives another comeback. It’s an incredible movie with a brilliant performance from Marion Cotillard.”

by Charles Busch, source

It’s not only the general audience and jury panels that recognize Marion Cotillard’s outstanding performance in ‘La Vie en Rose’. Here are quotes from 2 actors I respect a lot:

“Not only did she craft a flawless impersonation of a famous personality, but Marion’s humanity elevated her performance to a devastatingly honest and yet seemingly effortless personification of integrity and grace. To me, this is more than just a great performance; it’s a document of this actress’s overwhelming ability to love.”

by Ryan Gosling, source, thanks Isis

“Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en rose” was absolutely astonishing, and the synthesis of the performance with the whole film is superb. As much as inhabiting Piaf, she was also creating a creature, and I thought that was astonishing and inspiring. One of the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen.”

by Cate Blanchett, source, thanks Road to Oscar