French film actress Juliette Binoche will win a lifetime achievement award. She will be honored at the Göteborg Film Festival with the Dragon Award. The Swedish Film Festival runs from January 26 through February 5. The actress launched her career in the early 1980’s starring in French films. Binoche eventually became an international star and has starred in more than 70 international films. She is being honored with the lifetime achievement award because of her influence on modern European films. Binoche will attend the film festival, participate in a master class, and will receive her award at a gala on February 3.
Here are the top five film roles of Juliette Binoche’s career.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
In the 1988 film “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”, Juliette Binoche plays Tereza, the wife of a philandering surgeon in 1960’s – 1970’s Prague, Czechoslovakia. The film and 1984 novel by Milan Kundera focus the art, intellect and suppression in Czech society surrounding the Prague Spring of 1968 when the country was invaded by the Soviet Union. The film was a critical success and would have launched Binoche’s career as an international star, but she would first return to France to continue working in French films.
Three Colours: Blue
Juliette Binoche turned down a roles in Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” and “Schindler’s List” to star in the French film “Three Colours: Blue”. Binoche’s role as a grieving mother and wife in 1993’s “Three Colours: Blue” gave her the Best Actress award at the film’s premier at the Venice Film Festival. Directed by Louis Malle, “Three Colours” was the first of a trilogy of films inspired by the French spirit and the three colors of the French flag. Binoche also won the César award and was nominated for the Golden Globe. The actress made cameo appearances in the rest of the film trilogy, “White” and “Red”.
The English Patient
In 1996 Juliette Binoche played Hana, a French-Canadian nurse caring for a critically burned Englishman (Ralph Fiennes) in a bombed out Italian monastery during the last days of World War II. As the English Patient dies, he tells the story of his love affair with a married woman that ultimately led to her death and his soon to be fatal injuries. Binoche’s Hana is involved in her own love affair with a British Army agent. The critically acclaimed film won many awards. Binoche won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Chocolat
In 2000 Juliette Binoche starred as Vianne Rocher in the British-American comedy “Chocolat” based on the novel by Joanne Harris. Rocher is a young mother who opens a chocolate shop in a small French village. The people living in the village are dismayed by the shop as they are observing Lent and the shop is across from the church. Rocher is a single mother, an atheist and wears colorful clothing which alienates her from the townspeople. Her endearing personality, however, helps the townspeople open up and accept her as she helps them overcome their secret troubles. Juliette Binoche’s poise and skills as an actress along with her charming personality, make her the perfect actress for this small town fable turned into a critically acclaimed film and earned Binoche an Academy Award.
Bright Sunshine In
In 2017 Juliette Binoche shone in French director Claire Denis’ “Bright Sunshine In”. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Binoche plays Isabelle, an artist. The film uses subtle comedy and mostly dialogue as it explores Isabelle’s love life. The film is an homage to artists and the city of Paris. It has been compared to some of Woody Allen’s best films. “Bright Sunshine In” was featured in several Film Festivals and is critically acclaimed internationally.
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