Acclaimed actress Jodie Foster takes on a groundbreaking role in her latest film, A Private Life, directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. This marks Foster’s first leading performance where she speaks French, allowing her to explore a new dimension of her artistry. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, showcases Foster as Dr. Lilian Steiner, an American psychoanalyst in Paris. After the mysterious death of a patient, Lilian must confront her tumultuous family history and the complexities of her relationship with her ex-husband.
Foster explains her desire to work on a French project, stating, “It took me a long time to find the right project. I just really wanted to make a French movie.” She praises the script for its adherence to the French cinematic tradition, which prioritizes internal conflict and smaller narratives while still maintaining a narrative momentum that resonates with American audiences. “There’s so much cinema in it,” she adds, highlighting the film’s unique blend of genres—ranging from romantic comedy to psychological thriller.
Under Zlotowski’s direction, A Private Life shifts between various tones, incorporating elements of comedy and mystery, while delving into Freudian themes. Foster remarks on the creative freedom in French filmmaking compared to the more rigid structures often found in Hollywood. “It’s something we don’t allow ourselves to do in the United States,” she notes, emphasizing the artistic liberties directors enjoy in France.
Playing a character who displays vulnerability is a departure for Foster, known for her portrayals of strong, composed women. In this film, she portrays a character filled with anxiety and uncertainty, especially in her interactions with her son, who chooses to communicate with her only in French. “So he can dominate her, you know?” Foster explains. “He’s always funnier, and he can interrupt her and fluster her. Usually, I play unflusterable characters—something different about that.”
The emotional depth of the film is heightened through her scenes with Daniel Auteuil, a prominent French actor who plays her ex-husband. Foster describes their chemistry as “the perfect match,” attributing a shift in the character’s portrayal to Auteuil’s casting. Their dynamic culminates in a poignant moment during a rain-soaked car ride, where Lilian confronts her past by asking her ex-husband why he left her. “That moment felt very moving,” Foster recalls, as it encapsulates the film’s exploration of reconciliation and emotional truth.
Throughout her career, Foster has consistently portrayed women under pressure, often fighting to be heard. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “I think my whole life I’ve compartmentalized—it was a survival mechanism as a child actor.” This ability to compartmentalize has shaped her acting style, allowing her to navigate the intense scrutiny that has accompanied her career since her youth.
Her early experiences at the Cannes Film Festival in 1976, coinciding with the tragic loss of her dog, set a tone of resilience that has defined her life. “I made up this thing in my mind that I had to lose the thing that I loved the most in order to do some Mephistopheles deal with the devil,” she recalls, highlighting the emotional complexity she has navigated throughout her career.
In 1981, Foster’s life changed drastically when John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, claiming he did it to impress her. The subsequent media frenzy and personal threats forced her to confront the darker side of fame, leading her to further develop her compartmentalization strategies to cope with the intense scrutiny.
Now, at 61, Foster is experiencing a career renaissance, recently earning an Oscar nomination for her role in Nyad, where she portrayed the coach of swimmer Diana Nyad. Additionally, she starred in the acclaimed HBO series True Detective: Night Country, winning her first Emmy award. “I feel freer now,” she reflects, noting a shift towards roles that embrace humor. “The last few things I’ve done have had so much more humor. I don’t know what I was protecting before.”
With A Private Life, Foster’s exploration of vulnerability represents a significant evolution in her career. “I’m always surprised and then amazed that I can have done this for so many years—almost 60 years—and I just keep discovering,” she states. She expresses a desire to continue working in France, finding it a refreshing escape from her established persona. “It feels like such an escape from myself, you know? It’s nice.”
