At the Busan International Film Festival, renowned French actress Isabelle Huppert addressed concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence on the acting profession, asserting that she hasn't experienced a direct threat as of yet. During a press conference for Marc Fitoussi's latest comedy, "All About Corinne," which is featured in the festival’s prestigious Gala Presentation, Huppert quipped about potentially needing to learn Korean and Japanese. "I was unaware of my Korean-speaking abilities; all I know is 'annyeonghaseyo' [hello]," she remarked humorously.
When queried about AI's potential to disrupt the acting landscape, Huppert expressed a level of optimism, noting, "It really is me acting. So far, my image remains on screen, and I hope it stays that way." While she acknowledged the theoretical risks AI poses to the industry, she likened it to past fears about the decline of cinemas or the extinction of vinyl records, emphasizing how such concerns often turn out to be exaggerated.
In addition to addressing AI, Huppert revealed her upcoming collaboration with famed filmmaker Dario Argento, stating her excitement about the project, which is slated to begin next year.
Fitoussi, with whom Huppert has had a productive relationship, mentioned he is contemplating a new project and is eager to work with her again. "It's premature to discuss it in detail, but I recently saw a film featuring Joan Crawford that intrigues me, and the idea of remaking it with Isabelle is very appealing," he expressed.
In "All About Corinne," which premiered earlier in Locarno, Huppert portrays Corinne Maclou, a seasoned extra who clings to her aspiration of acting while nurturing a friendship with another performer. The film also features prominent actors like Sandrine Kiberlain appearing as themselves and is set to release in South Korea next spring.
When discussing her portrayal of an extra, Huppert credited Fitoussi's strong script and dialogue for guiding her performance, adding that being an extra, while unique, is still a legitimate job. "I play an extra, but I could just as easily take on any profession. Hence, I didn't find it particularly challenging," she explained.
Huppert challenged the notion that the film depicts the acting world solely through a lens of nostalgia, pointing out its inherent cruelties. She articulated that the film industry is indicative of broader hierarchical societal structures where power dynamics exist. "This theme resonates beyond cinema; it's applicable to any organization characterized by disparities in authority," she noted.
Fitoussi shared that the concept for "All About Corinne" started almost humorously, envisioning one of France's most prolific actresses in a role where she seldom gets to act. He reached out to Huppert prior to drafting the script, saying, "Her agreement is what propelled me to write." He also approached Kiberlain and others who play fictionalized versions of themselves early in the writing process.
Having previously explored the lives of extras in his 2008 documentary "Des Figurants," Fitoussi drew inspiration from one particular subject who wore a pink scarf to attract directors' attention. In his new film, Corinne’s whimsical hairstyle plays a similar role. "These characters strike me as quite poignant; they're somewhat overlooked and invisible. It was rewarding to portray them as heroic figures for the duration of the film," he expressed.
Additionally, Fitoussi mentioned he had begun penning a script where Huppert would take on the role of a truck driver but halted the project upon realizing Juliette Binoche had recently portrayed a similar character in an American film. However, he hinted at the possibility of revisiting that idea in the future.
Huppert arrived in Busan on the morning of the press conference following a reading of a novel by Nobel Prize-winner Han Kang in Seoul, alongside her co-star from Hong Sang-soo's "A Traveler's Needs," Lee Hye-young. This event was part of a special presentation at the Avignon Festival, which featured Korea as this year's guest country. Huppert's appearance in Busan is her third, while it marks Fitoussi's inaugural visit to South Korea. Notably, Huppert was recently appointed as the first female president of the Cinémathèque Française.
