French actress Léa Seydoux, now 36 years old, recently opened up about her emotionally taxing experience filming the highly-controversial movie ‘Blue Is The Warmest Colour’ alongside her co-star Adèle Exarchopoulos.
The two actresses were required to shoot a seven-minute lesbian s** scene multiple times, with up to 100 takes over a ten-day period, under the direction of Abdellatif Kechiche.
Despite having an intimacy coordinator on set, Seydoux expressed that the director’s intense approach made the production challenging.
In a candid interview published by the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, Seydoux reflected on the tumultuous filming process that ultimately led to the trio receiving the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013, breaking traditional norms of awarding only the director.
Since then, ‘Blue Is The Warmest Colour’ has remained a divisive yet culturally significant piece of art, sparking discussions about objectification and artistic boundaries.
Critics and audiences alike raised concerns about the film’s explicit s**ual content and prolonged n^dty scenes, accusing it of exploiting the actors.
Reports of Kechiche’s demanding behavior towards the cast and crew surfaced post-premiere, with both Seydoux and Exarchopoulos expressing reservations about collaborating with him again due to alleged mistreatment during filming.
Despite the challenges she faced, Seydoux acknowledged the impact the movie had on her career, stating, “It took a year of my life and I gave everything for that film.
It really changed my life on many different levels.”
She also revealed her discomfort with the idea of an intimacy coordinator on set, citing Kechiche’s unconventional methods as a hindrance to implementing such measures effectively.
Describing the filming process as “insane,” Seydoux criticized Kechiche’s excessive use of multiple takes for a single scene, far exceeding industry standards.
Her initial praise for the director following the film’s premiere shifted to criticism in subsequent interviews, leading to legal threats from Kechiche over what he deemed as defamatory statements made by Seydoux.
In a past interview with The Independent, Seydoux admitted feeling humiliated during the filming of ‘Blue Is The Warmest Colour,’ particularly during the explicit scenes that left her feeling objectified.
Reflecting on the challenging experience, she noted, “For me, it is more difficult to show my feelings than my body,” emphasizing the emotional toll of the demanding shoot.
Responding to Seydoux’s recent revelations, Kechiche questioned her integrity, highlighting her subsequent appearances at Cannes and engagement in red carpet events.
Despite the hardships faced during production, Seydoux fondly recalled the positive outcomes of the film, stating that winning the Palme d’Or was a testament to their collaborative efforts as artists rather than just actors under Kechiche’s direction.
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