Juliette Binoche interview

Juliette Binoche talks exclusively to marieclaire.co.uk about her new film

Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche, 43, stars in A Few Days In September, a thriller set in the run-up to 9/11 in which she plays a French agent named Irène.

What made you want to play an assassin in A Few Days in September?

Well, I had to be aggressive like I'd never been before, seductive in a way I'd never been before, and burnt inside as if I'd seen too much.

Did you enjoy filming in Venice?

I was a little reluctant to come back to Venice to shoot this movie because I had the experience of Les Enfants du siècle, where I played George Sand. We suffered so much with the noises of boats and planes, so it was almost impossible to shoot a period film. So I was fearful of coming back because I thought we'd have to dub everything, but actually the nightmare didn't come back!

How does success affect you?

I'm not even aware of my success. Success is such an illusion. When somebody tells me what they feel about a movie, I can sense the reality of it. But success is an idea. It doesn't matter to me.

You look in great shape. Do you diet regularly?

Sometimes. It's not a struggle to be on a diet. You feel lighter and your spirit is lighter too. But I love chocolate, and I allow myself to have chocolate. That doesn't go against a diet for me.

Do you have much time to relax when you're not acting?

My life is too busy! Having children, you have to spend time with them?otherwise why would you have them?