109 replies to this topic

[Luigi Ferrari]

http://www.digitalsp...rine-video.html

'Skyfall': Bérénice Marlohe talks Bond girl Severine - video

Skyfall star Bérénice Marlohe has revealed that Famke Janssen's femme fatale Xenia Onatopp is her favourite Bond girl.

Marlohe, who plays Severine opposite Daniel Craig's secret agent in the latest 007 outing, told Digital Spy that the thigh-crushing GoldenEye villainess has provided inspiration for her character.

"I really liked Famke Janssen, she was a completely crazy psychopath who kills people," the French actress said. "It was a very good choice of actress, and she was very brave to have done that. It shows she had a wonderful sense of humour.

"I will try to put a bit of it [in Severine]. I'm a fan of that kind of role. There is a lot of everything, but that [crazy] side I love it, too."

Marlohe added that the experience of making a Bond movie with Sam Mendes has been "wonderful", and that she has so far shot most of her scenes in London.

Skyfall, also starring Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, opens in cinemas on October 26.

Edited by Luigi Ferrari, 25 March 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

Ooooh, interesting. Makes me think that Severine might be a bad, bad girl.

[sharpshooter]

Sounds like it. The femme fatale types are always good fun.

[DominicGreene]

Ooooh, interesting. Makes me think that Severine might be a bad, bad girl.

In the words of Daniel Craig, "I do hope so!"

[S K Y F A L L]

I think Naomie did say her character does believe she's Bond equal.

[Vauxhall]

I think Naomie did say her character does believe she's Bond equal.

Yep, but quickly finds out that she's not in reality, which will be nice.

[Luigi Ferrari]

http://movies.uk.msn...s-like-a-family

Berenice: Bond is like a family

New Bond girl Berenice Marlohe has revealed how she has been made to feel part of the James Bond family.


New Bond girl Berenice Marlohe has revealed how she has been made to feel part of the James Bond family.
The French actress will star opposite Daniel Craig in the highly anticipated Skyfall, directed by Sam Mendes.
Berenice said: "It's great. Daniel is absolutely wonderful as a human being and he has a wonderful sense of humour, so it's really good to work in these conditions as actors because you feel very relaxed and part of a family."
The 32-year-old actress attended the Jameson Empire Film Awards 2012 at London's Grosvenor Hotel to present the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy award to comic book adventure Thor, looking stunning in a red, figure-hugging Donna Karan dress.
Berenice gushed that she was delighted to be playing a "strong" and "colourful" character in the top secret film.
She said: "I always felt connected to the James Bond movies because they are so unique and the characters are, whether bad girls or good girls, are very colourful and you don't see that in every movie."
She laughed that her character saw "a bit" of action in the film.

[ggl]

Mmm, that makes me think:

-Severine is a bad girl (a la Xenia);

-Severine dies in the film (and has action or gun scenes)

[Luigi Ferrari]

http://www.dnaindia....-harris_1667997

I play a very ambitious Bondgirl in Skyfall: Naomie Harris

Bondgirls are known for their beauty and glamour but actress Naomie Harris, who plays field agent Eve in 23rd 007 movie Skyfall opposite Daniel Craig, promises to bring "brains and ambition" too to the role.
"It is one dimensional when Bondgirls are just glamorous and beautiful. As Bond becomes more human, women in his life have to evolve to match this change.
"They need to have more potential for a man like James Bond to fall in love with them. He will not be attracted to a woman who is merely beautiful. They have to be equal to Bond," Harris told PTI in a telephonic interview from Los Angeles.
In the past few Bond films actresses like Halle Berry, Eva Green, Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton have brought more edge to the character and Harris is happy to be part of this growing tradition.
"I love playing strong, independent women onscreen and that's what drew me to the character of field agent Eve. She is very capable, intelligent and ambitious. She wants to be seen as the new Bond and that's what she is aiming for and I love that ambition in her," says Harris.
Skyfall, which was delayed for almost two years after MGM faced financial trouble, will be released by Sony Pictures Entertainment in India on November 2 this year. It is currently being filmed in different parts of the world.
Craig and Judi Dench are returning as Bond and M while Oscar-winner Javier Bardem plays the main antagonist. Harris and French actress Berenice Marlohe help Bond in his mission to unravel another mystery in the Sam Mendes directed film.
35-year-old Harris, best known for her roles in Miami Vice, 28 Days Later and Pirates of the Caribbean series, says it was difficult not to get star-struck while working with the famous actors.
"It was very intimidating during the first few days. Daniel, Judi Dench, Sam Mendes and Javier Bardem they all are the actors that I admire. They are top of their game. I had to pinch myself to remain true to my role. I was totally star-struck," says Harris.
The actress believes that director Mendes, known for his films like American Beauty and Revolutionary Road, would add a lot of humour and layers to the story.
"Sam (Mendes) wants to add much more humour to the movie. He is fundamentally known for his relationship stories and that will reflect in this film too. He wants the audience to engage and relate with Bond more. It is going to be fantastic Bond movie. The stakes are bigger and better this time."
The actress, who grew up watching Bond films, says she never imagined that she would be a part of the secret world of the spy series.
"I have been a huge fan of Bond movies. I don't know anyone who isn't. They are full of glamour, action and humour. It was part of my growing up years. I am working with some of the greatest actors of my time. I love the idea of entering the secret world of MI6," she says.
It was not a cakewalk for Harris to fit in the character as she trained hard for close to two months before filming. Harris says it was her most demanding role physically.
"I started training from October. I am off to Turkey now for more training. I learnt to fire machine gun for Miami Vice but most of the action that I did in the past was to get in shape. In this film I will be doing most of the stunts that I learnt during my training. I have never trained this hard for any movie."
Harris is hugely impressed with the dedication of her famous co-star Craig.
"He is fantastic, has great sense of humour but he is very serious at the same time. He trains for two hours after the shoot. He is very dedicated but also knows how to laugh at himself."

[Kristian]

Question I've been meaning to ask:

If Eve is a field agent for MI-6, does that mean she is double-Oh like Bond? Is she, like, 004 or 001 or something?

[Captain Tightpants]

Nope. Harris describes Eve as "believing she is Bond's equal, but she isn't". That suggests that she is not a Double-Oh agent. And although she has weapons training, that would be standard practice for any agent operating in the field.

[Kristian]

Nope. Harris describes Eve as "believing she is Bond's equal, but she isn't". That suggests that she is not a Double-Oh agent. And although she has weapons training, that would be standard practice for any agent operating in the field.

Thanks, Captain. I was wondering about that. I just hope they give Eve some weaknesses and not make her too much of a bad-. I would prefer she not be a double-oh....

If memory serves, I think we glimpsed a female double-Oh in TWINE after the briefing about how Sir Robert died, and the assignments got handed out. She looked like a librarian, not a secret agent. : )

[Captain Tightpants]

I just hope they give Eve some weaknesses and not make her too much of a bad-. I would prefer she not be a double-oh....

"My character is Bond's equal" is perhaps one of the most-hated phrases among fans from any actor playing a Bond Girl (that and "My character is more of a Bond Woman"). However, Naomie Harris has taken the time - and taken it on several occasions - to mention that Eve "thinks she is Bond's equal, but she's not". It's very unusual for that to be elaborated upon, and I don't think this is something that Harris has chosen to inject into her performance because if the script doesn't specifically call for it, then it's just going to be very jarring. So I'd bet good money on Eve being street-smart, but with a certain degree of naivety to her: she's underwhelmed by Bond and thinks that she can do anything he does, but soon discovers that she is not up to the task. It's an interesting riff on the whole "Bond's Equal" trope; we've had characters like Vesper who have been introduced as Bond's (intellectual) equal and stayed that way throughout the film, and characters like Camille who have grown to become Bond's equal (it's only with Bond's help that she can kill Medrano and live to tell the tale). But I don't think we've ever had someone who has started out as Bond's equal and regressed, with the possible exception of Pam Bouvier (but she was basically a schoolgirl with a gun). I wonder who it was - Purvis, Wade or Logan - who came up with the idea of subverting the trope.

[Kristian]

I just hope they give Eve some weaknesses and not make her too much of a bad-. I would prefer she not be a double-oh....

"My character is Bond's equal" is perhaps one of the most-hated phrases among fans from any actor playing a Bond Girl (that and "My character is more of a Bond Woman"). However, Naomie Harris has taken the time - and taken it on several occasions - to mention that Eve "thinks she is Bond's equal, but she's not". It's very unusual for that to be elaborated upon, and I don't think this is something that Harris has chosen to inject into her performance because if the script doesn't specifically call for it, then it's just going to be very jarring. So I'd bet good money on Eve being street-smart, but with a certain degree of naivety to her: she's underwhelmed by Bond and thinks that she can do anything he does, but soon discovers that she is not up to the task. It's an interesting riff on the whole "Bond's Equal" trope; we've had characters like Vesper who have been introduced as Bond's (intellectual) equal and stayed that way throughout the film, and characters like Camille who have grown to become Bond's equal (it's only with Bond's help that she can kill Medrano and live to tell the tale). But I don't think we've ever had someone who has started out as Bond's equal and regressed, with the possible exception of Pam Bouvier (but she was basically a schoolgirl with a gun). I wonder who it was - Purvis, Wade or Logan - who came up with the idea of subverting the trope.

All very interesting, Captain. I have a feeling Eve will indeed start out as toughie - but something will happen that will either cause her to be saved by Bond - and shake her up a bit and admit she's not Bond's equal. Or she might screw up and get someone killed. Either way, it would indeed be a fresh take on this kind of role.

Speaking of Camille and Vesper, I actually think Camille is more Bond's equal than Vesper. Camille had a craftiness to her that helped her scheme her way through Green's organization - and she had the fighting skills and weapons knowledge to match Bond. What was great about her, though, was how they emphasized her vulnerability in the fire scene and sinkhole scene.

My problem with Vesper is that she is far too passive a character throughout most of the movie - and only comes alive at the end. But that's the nature of the story for CASINO ROYALE, I guess. Then again, I've always had a problem with Eva Green as Vesper. She was just so... inexpressive. There's a difference between "mysterious" and "opaque". I would've preferred Rose Byrne in the role. Just my opinion.

Can't wait to see Eve in action - especially if she does get some sort of "comeuppance" or "hard knocks lesson".

[Captain Tightpants]

I don't think Eve is going to be some arrogant so-and-so who gets what she deserves and then becomes subservient to Bond. I think she will just be someone who doesn't really understand and/or appreciate what it means to be a Double-Oh agent. Both CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE have explored the theme of what it means to kill someone, particularly for the person doing the killing. So I think Eve will be in a position where she is quick to follow Bond's lead and ends up killing someone - probably justifiably - but will have a difficult time coping with the idea that she took a life. She would then be less-likely to rush into situations alongside Bond.

[Germanlady]

[Vauxhall]

Not sure if it's already been remarked upon, but it's interesting that The Daily Telegraph wrote the following this week:

"Harris is known just as Eve at the beginning of 'Skyfall', but as the plot unravels it will become apparent that Eve is the most famous of the Bond girls, Miss Moneypenny. Harris is the first black actress to play the role of M's witty and flirtatious secretary."

[DamnCoffee]

I wouldn't be at all surprised actually. I had a feeling this would be the case anyway.

[007jamesbond]

In my opinion, Eve is a junior field agent and is working under Bond, and he is her idol.....perhaps she kills someone but get stress over the fact she killed a human being.......and can no longer work in the field anymore and request for a desk job or something......it would be interesting if she becomes Moneypenny or that Moneypenny wont appear in SF

[Luigi Ferrari]

Agreed, I’ve changed my mind having seen some more photos. I now think they are indeed the same person.


Particularly this pair.

Berenice Marchand




Bérénice Marlohe

As we wait for an official confirmation or denial about her identity, here is an old interview with Berenice Marchand, dating back to November 21, 2003.

http://news2000.libe...zine/wmc53.html

I, Berenice, the face of i-mode

We reveal the new face of Wind: cheerful, dreamy and greedy, as she describes herself.

It's Berenice Marchand's the face that Wind has chosen to launch i-mode.
Berenice is 24 and works as a fashion model in Paris, where she lives. She has a brother and a sister, both younger than her, who attend the secondary school. Her oriental features are due to her father whose origins are Cambodian and Chinese, her mother is French instead, just like her. She graduated in art and she's been studying theater for a year and a half. She gladly accepted to be interviewed and this is perhaps her first interview ever.

I : How did you get into modeling, how did you choose this job?
B: Almost accidentally, an agent had seen my picture and contacted me: just two years have passed. I started to do some photo shoot and then more and more: that was it ... I worked for L'Oreal, having pictures taken for hair care products. Then, as a model again, I worked for the Gemey Maybelline's website and in promoting Biotherme's make up products. I also did a lot of commercials for the press, especially that dedicated to beauty and makeup.

I : I guess you like being a model, what would you like do as an alternative?
B: I would love to pursue an artistic career. I really like abstract painting, drawing and theater, where I'd like to act. I spend my free time doing paintings and drawings, especially portraits.

I : Your favorite painters?
B: Certainly Turner, then Picasso's blue period.

I: Which adjectives describe your character?
B: I am cheerful and ... a dreamer, yes. And I’m a hearty eater, I like to eat, I am greedy!

I : What would you change about your appearance?
B: (Laughs) Some defects I have, but I really think the most important thing is your character, your personality, being happy. Then you just do not have three legs, four arms and one eye on your forehead, all is well!

I: What do you think about the world of models and fashion?
B: By a side is apparently easy , I feel comfortable. I would not say that it is a very difficult world. It offers the opportunity to get in touch with many different people. And this is a good school of life, helps to form your character and to better understand what you want.

I : And regarding love, Berenice, have you time for love?
B: Ah, yes it is so important, it’s absolutely necessary to find it. I think that love and good food are the most important things in life!

Edited by Luigi Ferrari, 02 April 2012 - 03:07 AM.

[Vauxhall]

Well done, LF! I thought that it was likely to be Cambodian heritage, but had been struggling to find any confirmation. Good work, thank you.

[Luigi Ferrari]

http://timesofindia....ow/12518222.cms

Bond films have lasted for 50 years: Berenice Marlohe

Think Bond girl, and you think a pretty face and a body to die for as you recall the posse of women who have played the part, but Berenice Marlohe would have you believe that that's not what gets you the role. Berenice, who plays a French femme fatale to Daniel Craig's British James Bond in the upcoming "Skyfall", says that you get the part like an actor gets any other part - by suiting the script and the director's requirements - and being hot has nothing to do with it.

The actor, who's character is called Severine in the 23rd Bond film, spoke to DT from Paris where they were "resting for a few days." In her musical French lilt, she told us how it feels to have joined the famous league of the Bond ladies. "It's great, because I always loved the James Bond movies, and I always saw myself connecting instinctively to all the characters - the male villains or the female villains, the good girls - I have a big soft corner for all the characters. So I am now thrilled to be able to bring my own contribution as an actress to build that movie," she said.
As her first major Hollywood role, was she apprehensive about perhaps always being known as a 'Bond girl'? "No, no, it's absolutely a wonderful thing," she replied, "Those movies have lasted for 50 years! This is amazing and very unique. So, as I said, I'm thrilled. And after that, it's up to me to make the good choices regarding what I want to do as an actress."
And what are the qualities to make it as a Bond girl? "Well, there are two sides. First of all, you have to fit what the writer, the director, and the producers have in mind for that specific movie. And then secondly, you have to show your abilities as an actress and what you can bring that would fit that role, and the demands on a specific script. For me, you have to get something charismatic about your character and the way you act, to fit that completely unique universe of a James Bond movie." Berenice said she has also trained for her part, learning to fire with a fake gun, and for her, training also means "working on the script and building my character."
The cast might still be in the middle of filming, but a lot is already being written about the 'sexy scenes' between her and Craig. She laughed and said, "Well, I'm looking forward to work on every scene! It has no connection to any sexy scenes or what, but I'm really thrilled to work on that movie with the wonderful cast and director. So any scenes, I'm looking forward to do them!"
With James Bond's big fan following in India, are they planning to come to the country to promote it? "Well I hope so," she replies, "I would love to go to India. I'm sure we will - I don't know exactly where - but I'm sure, this is for sure," she promised.
Berenice's age has been reported as 32 and 21 - we asked, a little apologetically, for a clarification, given the huge gap. "Hahaa, I'm 54 actually!" she joked, but then said, "No I'm 32." Halle Berry has been the oldest Bond girl at 36 in "Die Another Day", so we asked if playing one requires the maturity of a 30-plus actress, given these are hardly 'girly' roles. "Yes exactly," she said, "I think so. But first of all, I think it has to do with the fact that Halle Berry is a wonderful actress, so it first has to do with her, because she fits the role. And I hope this is the same for me! But for me, you get to know yourself as a human being and use that to create work as an actress. For me, the experience you have is very important, so it comes with the age too. There are some very young people who are mature, of course, but it is great as an actor to be rich with all your experiences in life, and then what you can put on screen is more rich and intense."
Which Bond girl is her favourite? "Oh, Famke Janssen in "Golden Eye" (she played the vampish Xenia Onatopp). She just proves that she has a wonderful sense of humour, and the way she portrayed a psychopath, who killed people... It's like she's making love every time she kills people (laughs)! It was completely creative and I admire that, because you could see she has a sense of humour and a sense of self-deprecation."
With a lots of the girls' names in James Bond flicks being puns (Pussy Galore, Strawberry Fields, to name just two), we asked Berenice if Severine is meant as some kind of joke as well. But she replied in the negative. "Well, this once, it's a bit more classical."

Edited by Luigi Ferrari, 04 April 2012 - 09:47 AM.

[lechero]

With Skyfall being her first major film and all, I'm wondering if she'll get a "Introducing Berenice Marlohe" in the title sequence.

[Kristian]

Doubt it. DIE ANOTHER DAY was Rosamund Pike's first film, period. And she got billing like all the pros around her.... Kind of better that way, I think, so it doesn't signal that one is a newcomer....

[Luigi Ferrari]

Agreed, I’ve changed my mind having seen some more photos. I now think they are indeed the same person.


Particularly this pair.

Berenice Marchand




Bérénice Marlohe

As we wait for an official confirmation or denial about her identity, here is an old interview with Berenice Marchand, dating back to November 21, 2003.

http://news2000.libe...zine/wmc53.html

I, Berenice, the face of i-mode

We reveal the new face of Wind: cheerful, dreamy and greedy, as she describes herself.

It's Berenice Marchand's the face that Wind has chosen to launch i-mode.
Berenice is 24 and works as a fashion model in Paris, where she lives. She has a brother and a sister, both younger than her, who attend the secondary school. Her oriental features are due to her father whose origins are Cambodian and Chinese, her mother is French instead, just like her. She graduated in art and she's been studying theater for a year and a half. She gladly accepted to be interviewed and this is perhaps her first interview ever.
...
I : I guess you like being a model, what would you like do as an alternative?
B: I would love to pursue an artistic career. I really like abstract painting, drawing and theater, where I'd like to act. I spend my free time doing paintings and drawings, especially portraits.
...

UPDATE: in this new interview with Paris Match , Berenice Marlohe reveals more about her origins. I'd say it's now safe to assume that Berenice Marchand and Berenice Marlohe are the same person indeed.

Here are two extracts from her recent interview that matches with what was said in the old interview I quoted.

http://www.parismatc...ancaise-388479/

Eurasian features, huge smile, her greeting is effective, delivered in a solemn voice: "Hello, I am Berenice."

Born in Paris to a mother welfare worker and a father Sino-Cambodian family doctor, she grew up in the love of art, her first love, handed on by her parents. "Excellent Painters," she said.

[# 11]

http://www.parismatc...ancaise-388479/

My French is a little bit out of service, but "souffre le martyre" might mean she's going to die…

she grew up in the love of art

Prefer art of love.

[ggl]

http://www.parismatc...ancaise-388479/

My French is a little bit out of service, but "souffre le martyre" might mean she's going to die…

she grew up in the love of art

Prefer art of love.

My French is also a little rusty, but I think that "souffre le martyre" refers to the filming of Skyfall not to the character.

Much more interesting. About Severine: «glamour et mystérieuse, une femme forte assortie d’un gadget très “bondesque”». "Glamourous and mysterious, a strong woman with a very "bondian" gadget" !! That´s what I understand...

[Shrublands]

This Bondian gadget and Severin was mentioned very early on (I’d forgotten all about it) I suspect it’s her gimmick for killing people. I hope that it’s memorable and inventive. I'm thinking Klebb’s shoe, Grant’s watch and Oddjob’s hat style Bondian.

Anyone spotted any clues as to what it could be?

[MattofSteel]

Machine gun jubblies.

[Vauxhall]

My first thought was the rumoured Komodo dragon, but that's not exactly a gadget...