In a cozy little Parisian café, smelling of fresh croissants, where the waiters seem to operate at a deliberately relaxed pace, we meet actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg. She’s dressed in her usual black, smiling mysteriously, with that perfect blend of cool detachment and warmth. The interview kicks off with a playful tone, as Charlotte answers with her signature mix of dry humor and philosophical insights.
- Charlotte, thanks so much for making the time! I have to ask, right off the bat: If you had to decide this morning between “five more minutes of sleep” and “getting coffee immediately”—what would you choose?
(laughs) Oh, that’s easy. I’d probably choose five more minutes of sleep and hope someone brings me coffee straight to bed. I love the idea of waking up without actually getting up. I know that’s a little lazy, but honestly, who wouldn’t want that?
- Makes perfect sense! You’ve starred in so many films and have a successful music career. Imagine there was a movie about your life, and you could choose any historical figure to play you. Who would you pick?
Oh, that’s tough! Maybe… Marie Antoinette? Wasn’t she the one who said, “If they don’t have bread, let them eat cake”? I think that’s funny, even though it’s probably not true. Plus, she had those amazing wigs. It would be a great challenge for my hairdresser. But actually, I might choose someone entirely unexpected—maybe Charlie Chaplin. Imagine Chaplin playing me! It would be totally absurd but entertaining.
- Hilarious! Speaking of absurd, what’s the weirdest fan encounter you’ve ever had?
Oh, that would be in Tokyo. A fan gave me an incredibly detailed origami swan and told me he had thought of nothing else for 24 hours while folding it. I was really touched—and then he told me under no circumstances should I ever unfold it because there was an ancient Japanese curse on it. I still have the swan; it sits on my nightstand and protects me from evil spirits. A bit strange, but I find it beautiful how serious people are about these gestures.
- That sounds intense! What would you do if you could be a “normal citizen” for a day, with no one knowing who you are?
Oh, I’d go to the supermarket and spend hours comparing products without anyone giving me strange looks. And then I’d…what do you call it in German…“window cookie”?
- You mean “window shopping”?
Yes, exactly! That word sounds so cozy. I always imagine it like an old French film, where I stroll through Paris gazing at shop windows. But it’s hard to go unnoticed. If someone realizes who I am, they inevitably ask why I’m so fixated on the 3-for-2 deal on cornflakes. But cornflakes are a serious matter.
- Absolutely! Speaking of serious matters: You’ve played many intense roles. Is there a role you wish you hadn’t taken?
Hmm… not really. Maybe one where I didn’t have much dialogue. In one film, I had to be silent and stare melancholically out a window for almost an hour. It sounds poetic, but it was honestly terribly boring! I remember thinking, “Why aren’t we just watching Netflix?” *laughs* Sometimes, silence is less profound and more…yawn-inducing.
- I can see that! If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
Oh, that’s an easy one! I’d love the ability to parallel park perfectly. (laughs) I’m terrible at it—I always park at a strange angle, then just stand there debating if I should get out and run away or park in a completely different neighborhood. It’s a daily struggle.
- (laughs) Charlotte, your dry humor is fantastic! Final question: What would be your last meal, with no worries about calories or anything?
A giant crêpe buffet! With everything—Nutella, caramel, fruits, cheese, chocolate… maybe even fries? There’s this tiny crêpe place in Paris, and every time I go, I feel like the calories curse the crêpes and go straight to my hips. But for this meal, I wouldn’t care at all! I’d eat all night and laugh, not thinking about tomorrow.
- Charlotte, this has been wonderful! Thank you so much for this conversation!
Thank you! Now I suddenly really want crêpes…