Julie Delpy
Profession: Director, writer, actor, musician
Claim to Eccentricity: Indie, foreign, and thriving in Hollywood
She looks like a breakable figurine, with her translucent skin and empathetic eyes. But Julie Delpy is stubborn, determined, and a fiery fountain of artistic output. A composer, actor, and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter (for 2004's Before Sunset), Delpy was born in Paris to bohemian theater people who led her to the stage as a child. Now living in L.A. (she obtained U.S. citizenship in 2001), she's lately taken on that most rare of Hollywood roles—the female director.
How did you manage to write, direct, act in, edit, and produce your latest movie, 2 Days in Paris?
I wanted to go through the whole process from beginning to end. And as you know women are born for multitasking!
Do you consider yourself detail-oriented, or more interested in ideas?
Both. But I'm very detail-oriented—like very. I was concerned about what people were wearing in the film, with the camera angle on some snails used in a flashback scene, and with the color of a balloon in a photo.
What kind of boss are you?
I'm understanding but strong. I noticed from many years of acting that the directors who make a crew happy usually know what they want and make decisions fast.
The relationship in 2 Days in Paris is messy and complicated for a romantic comedy. Did you see the portrayal as unconventional?
I wanted something that would ring true to me and to many of the people I know. Relationships are complicated—it's like oil and lemon; it's never really mixed fully but you can still make a good vinaigrette!
Do you think you are unconventional in your own romantic relationships?
I wouldn't date myself, but I guess my boyfriend stays with me because I love him more than anyone in the whole world.
Why wouldn't you date yourself?
I don't give men enough attention. They don't like it. Actually maybe I should date myself, because I don't need attention either!
Do you consider yourself an eccentric?
I don't know. It's like when you're mad—do you see yourself as crazy or is it the world that seems crazy to you? I think people who have normal lives are a little strange. They worry me; they do normal things but I feel that one day something will burst in them.
It sounds like your parents are quite eccentric.
They are totally free people; they are not interested in money or material things. I admire them so much, just their way of life is beautiful, they never had a car, they don't consume unnecessary things.
How are you different from them?
I'm more goal-oriented, even though when I reach the goals, I realize right away that the process is the only thing I truly like.
It must be hard to rebel against one's parents when they are so liberal.
I did rebel—that is why I am a hard-core Opus Dei fan! Just kidding! Maybe being in Hollywood is my rebellion.
Have you become Americanized?
Yes. I exercise and chew a lot of gum.
Are French people more tolerant of unconventionality than Americans?
One thing I love about Americans is that they take criticism well, whereas the French can't take it at all. But Americans (not all, of course) are puritanical. Politicians in France are not judged by their sex lives, otherwise there would be a scandal every other day!
Have you always been sensitive?
I've never liked it if someone is truly sad or hurt, and I'm very careful and caring to people with real pain. If someone is a diva or having superficial problems I don't indulge them though—I hate brats.
Does such sensitivity hurt you?
It's hurt me a tremendous amount in the past; I have become a bit tough to protect myself.
How have you managed to do so?
Just like when you get calluses on your fingers when you play guitar, it hurts for a while, then you don't feel a thing. But when you don't play for a while the softness comes back and you have to suffer again. So being tough is just a little layer, but underneath it's soft and pink.
Tags:
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Julie Delpy,
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romantic comedy,
romantic relationships,
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