From Paris with passion: Fanny Ardant brought a play about love to Moscow
The Cherry Forest Art Festival has brought the one-man show "Thirst for Passion" (La blessing et la soif) to Moscow. A year ago, the production was shown in Paris at the Marigny Theatre. To play a play in Sovremennik, the diva of world cinema, Fanny Ardan, came to Moscow. Izvestia visited Sovremennik for a meeting with a star, Fanny Ardan confessed her love for Russia there.
"For me, playing in Paris and Moscow is the same thing"
Fanny Ardan arrived at Sovremennik on the afternoon of June 12. After meeting her, the artistic director of the Oleg Tabakov and Sovremennik Theater, Vladimir Mashkov, gave the guest a tour of the theater. It was Mashkov who invited Ardan to Moscow, and he hosted her. On the way, the actress, however, wanted to start rehearsing right away, she was worried before the Moscow premiere of the play "Lust for Passion" (La blessing et la soif). She wanted to experience the "other scene" of Sovremennik as soon as possible. But before that, the actress decided to talk to reporters.
Fanny Ardant appeared in the foyer of the theater on the arm of Vladimir Mashkov. With perfect styling and makeup, in a black sweater, a white pleated skirt with black polka dots. And, like a true diva, in ankle boots with high heels. Fanny Ardant greeted in Russian, smiled and shared what the lucky ones would see on the stage of Sovremennik.
"I've always played only those roles that I really love," the actress began. — I could never go up on stage and portray a character with whom I would not associate myself. I think the world of feelings, emotions, and passion is the same for everyone. For me, playing this play in Paris and Moscow is practically the same thing."
But still, the Russian audience, according to the actress, is different. They come to the theater to be told a story. Catherine Schaub invited the diva to play a solo performance based on the novel La blessure et la soif by Laurence Plasene. The action takes place in 17th century France. This is the era of Louis XIV. The danger comes from the Fronde. Fanny Ardant plays the Duchess de Clermont. More on this below.
Before the premiere of La blessure et la soif at the Marigny Theater, Fanny Ardan did not go on stage for four years. She devoted all her time to cinema.
"I presented this play a year ago in June in Paris. And then I promised myself that I would definitely play it in Moscow. As if closing the circle. Because this play is universal."
For Fanny Ardan, "Lust for Passion" is primarily a love story.
"I have always thought and continue to think that love is the most important thing in life. And you only turn to something else if you've lost her. We must devote our whole lives to the search for love."
Fanny Ardant is also full of love for Russian culture. She also confessed this to journalists.
"I started living and seeing the world at the age of 15 thanks to Russian literature," says the actress. — When I went on vacation to my grandparents, I read everything there Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy. Thanks to these great writers, Russia entered my heart as a teenager. It shaped my worldview. Of course, I've read Balzac, Diderot, and other French authors. But I always missed in them what I found in Russian literature — passion."
Fanny Ardant admitted that she had always dreamed of playing in Dostoevsky's The Idiot.
"Because for me, Prince Myshkin is like a lantern that illuminates everything around," the actress believes. — Then I realized that you don't have to be afraid of society, that someone will judge you. You need to tell your truth, extend a helping hand to another person. I'm not going to play in Idiot anymore, but I'd really like to."
"Russia has the most tragic story"
Fanny Ardan recalls that when she was studying at the university, she also became interested in Russian history. She was very interested in the period that the actress calls the Soviet adventure.
"My major at the university was political science. For my thesis, I chose the topic "Anarchy in the USSR." I have read the works of Bakunin and all his comrades. I think Russia has the most tragic story of all countries. Maybe that's what gives Russians such passion. As I like to say, happy people have no history. But those who fight for their country always have a story."
A shot from the movie "The Palace"
Russian Russian literature and history Aside, Fanny Ardant also loves Russian music and poetry.
"I think poetry in Russia has always been on the verge of life and death,— Ardan is sure. — When you are passionate about Mandelstam, Tsvetaeva, Akhmatova, it speaks to the subtlety of your soul. And of the French poets, I can only call Arthur Rimbaud passionate. For me, Russia is the land of poetry. I studied all this chaotically, but I love everything madly. So when people ask me why I'm going to Russia, I don't even know what to answer, it's obvious to me."
Not so long ago, Fanny Ardant gave Izvestia a long interview about the film "The Palace," which is also closely linked to Russia.
An hour and a half of absolute ecstasy with the great actress
It was impossible to get to the performance "Lust for Passion". They went to Sovremennik exclusively by invitation.
The semi-darkness of the stage recreated the atmosphere of the monastery. Cold light fell through the window opening onto the draped stage. The chair and bench are covered with it. Fanny Ardant appeared on stage in a floor-length dress made of heavy blue-black taffeta, and the audience greeted her with an ovation. Her sequined corset sparkled in the spotlight. The only jewelry Fanny Ardant wears is a cross on a chain. Her character, the Duchess de Clermont, tells the story of her life and passions.
From the very first words, it is clear that the audience is not waiting for political intrigues, but revelations about love. Madame de Clermont spent her childhood in a convent. She was destined to become a nun. But at the age of 16, she was married off to a man she had no feelings for. She gave birth to four sons and was engaged in their upbringing. One day Madame de Clermont met true love. She was melting in the arms of the Marquis de La Tour. But love with him was impossible, family ties prevented: her husband was the uncle of the Marquis. Out of desperation and passion, de La Tour fled to China, where he spent fourteen years in extreme poverty and loneliness. Although the man and the woman lived far from each other, they retained their feelings. After years of suffering, de La Tour returns to France. And he understands that neither conventions, nor his exile, nor religion have extinguished Madame de Clermont's passion. She couldn't forget her lover.
Fanny Ardant's voice is mesmerizing. You don't have to follow the narration or read the credits. Just listen to a monologue in French and fall into a trance. Fanny Ardant talks with bated breath about the heroine's feelings for a man, then she almost cries, remembering how unfair fate can be, then she glows when she talks about children. Armand Amar's music does not break in, does not solo. The cellos and the piano only fill in the pauses, turning attention to a new round of Madame de Clermont's story.
The thrilling, poetic text and the solo, almost intimate performance allow the audience to immerse themselves in this complex and sensual love story.
The performance ended with an ovation. The audience gave the actress a standing ovation. Among the lucky people who got to the performance was the People's Artist of Russia, rector of the Academy of Russian Ballet. Vaganova Nikolai Tsiskaridze.
"It was an hour and a half of absolute ecstasy with the great actress," Nikolai Tsiskaridze shared with Izvestia. "Her acting is impeccable. I admire not only the craftsmanship and beauty, but also Fanny Ardan's respect for our country. Despite all the difficulties, she did everything to come to us on June 12, Russia Day. The actress loves our culture and cannot live without it. Imagine the love for our country!
Nikolai Tsiskaridze has been friends with Fanny Ardan for a long time. Every time the actress visits Russia, they always meet. After the performance, the People's Artist went to Fanny Ardant's dressing room to express his admiration and congratulate her on the Moscow premiere.
"I listen to Fanny and I think that everyone would love literature so much."
Fanny Ardan's arrival at Sovremennik was an incredible gift for Vladimir Mashkov. This is not the first visit of the star. Even in 2020, when everyone was afraid of the coronavirus, Fanny Ardant came to Moscow and played the play "Hiroshima, my Love" at the Oleg Tabakov Theater.
The actress met Mashkov in 2011 on the set of the film Rasputin, where she played Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and Vladimir Lvovich played Emperor Nicholas II.
"A great actress has arrived, beautiful, smart, absolutely fearless, and there are no more like her," admired Vladimir Mashkov. — I am very proud and happy that we have been friends for many years. I listen to Fanny and think that everyone would love literature, the Russian word, and appreciate the global significance of our great culture as much as she does."
A shot from the movie "Rasputin"
According to Mashkov, the screening of the play Thirst for Passion on the stage of Sovremennik as part of the Cherry Forest Festival is a global event. Despite the sanctions, despite attempts to abolish Russian culture abroad, it is impossible to forbid loving it, he believes. And the fact that world stars come to us is proof of that.
"Russia has always been open to cultures from all over the world," Mashkov continues. — If we talk about the theater, we have huge historical ties with theaters in Germany, France, England, and America. What an impression Stanislavsky's works made back in the last century! How we changed the vector, how we made it clear what an artist should do, what a great profession it is. It seems to me that Fanny acts as a solid bridge connecting the culture of the whole world."
Ardan's fans are confident that the next visit will not have to wait another five years. The actress herself is mysteriously silent on this matter.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
