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Topics: Mental Health, Film and TV, LGBTQ
Ellie Kemp
An actress who was involved in one of the most 'explosively graphic' lesbian movie scenes explained why she cried while at Cannes film festival.
Before her roles as Dr Madeleine Swan in James Bond films, Spectre and No Time to Die, Lèa Seydoux starred in a rather intense romantic-drama film in 2013.
The film, which is called Blue is the Warmest Color, was directed by French filmmaker, Abdellatif Kechiche, and featured Seydoux in one of the leading roles, alongside Adèle Exarchopoulos.
The Midnight in Paris star and Exarchopoulos star as Emma and Adéle, two women who pursue an intense sexual relationship with one another, as Adèle embarks on a journey of self-discovery regarding her sexuality.
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It is also based on a 2010 graphic novel of the same name by French writer, Jul Maroh. The film garnered quite the reaction from the movie world, particularly Emma and Adéle's graphic relationship.
One sex scene in particular lasted six minutes, which was shot over 10 days, and Seydoux herself even admitted that it made her have questions about her own sexuality.
However, the film opened to critical success and acclaim, winning the Palme d’Or, and that year, Seydoux was spotted crying at a Cannes press conference in 2013, when Kechiche was paying her a compliment.
In an interview with Esquire, she revealed why, explaining: "I remember, it was terrible because I felt so embarrassed."
The star went on to say that it was 'because of the film', adding: "Because of what we've been through with Adèle, and what I've been through, and the fact that the film is now existing.
"So it was a very emotional moment. It was like... relief that the film was shown to the audience. And of course, because this film was difficult to shoot."
Seydoux also explained why she didn't want to do another film like Blue is The Warmest Color, or work with Kechiche again.
"I would love to do another film that requires all my being. But with, like, no. Of course I wouldn't work with him again."
When asked further, she said she didn't have an issue with 'the fact that he wanted to do many takes', nor that he 'pushed me' as an actress, adding: "The problem was more between the takes. The fact that you don't see your friends, that you have no life.
"That was difficult. But I'm very happy that the film has this success."
Blue is The Warmest Color wasn't without criticism, however, as Maroh categorised the sex scene as 'porn', while Seydoux said her experience making the movie was 'horrible'.
Kechiche said in an interview that the film was 'too tarnished' and shouldn't be released, adding (via France 24): "The Palme d’Or was a fleeting instant of happiness; since then, I’ve felt humiliated, dishonoured, rejected – as if I’m cursed."
He also described Seydoux's comments about her experience during filming as being 'worse than biting the hand that feeds you; [they show] a lack of respect for a profession I consider sacred'.