Melanie Laurent Plays the Violin in The Concert

 A high point of this summer's feel good movie opening this week is surely a superb Tchaikovsky concerto performed unrehearsed in Paris by a hilarious rag tag bunch of Russian musicians posing as the famed Bolshoi Orchestra. If you believe in such miracles, or can laugh at the conceit, The Concert, written and directed by Radu Mihaileanu, is for you. 

The mastermind of this prank, Andrei Filipov (Alexei Guskov) is now a janitor, but in his prime as orchestra conductor, he was fired for defending his Jewish performers. This historic detail from Brezhnev's regime provides a resonant backstory, bringing the orchestra together with a young Parisian violinist Anne-Marie Jacquet (a radiant Melanie Laurent) who yearns only for the watchful eyes of her parents, thinking they died in an accident.

The acclaimed French actress and director Melanie Laurent is best known in the U.S. for her performance in the movie Inglorious Basterds. Last week, I chatted briefly with her on the phone about her roles as violinist and as Jewish survivor of various oppressions, Quentin Tarantino, and her future films.

You play the violin so beautifully in this film. As far as I know, you are not a violinist. How did this role come to you?

ML: The director chose me. I met him three times to speak about the script. He chose someone else who could not play the violin. The role was a big challenge involving much training. She dropped out. My performance is fake except for the right hand. The left hand is a special effect. It's a lot of work to learn fake movements.

Your role as Anne-Marie Jacquet in The Concert is very similar to Shosanna Dreyfus in Inglorious Basterds. Are you being type cast as the Jewish orphan?

ML: I did The Concert before Inglorious Basterds. By coincidence the two characters are close: very strong women focused on one thing, fragile, artistic. Shosanna is focused on movies, Anne-Marie on classical music. That they are Jewish is important for me, and playing the violin evoked my inner Slavic emotion.

How was the shooting, working with such a strange, eccentric group?

ML: They shot the Russian parts and then arrived in Paris to film the concert in the Theatre du Chatelet. No one spoke English or French. It was “hi,”  “hi,” exactly as it is in the movie.

Will we see you in more movies soon?

ML: After Inglorious Basterds I did Round Up. My next movie is with Ewan McGregor, Beginners to be released in 2011.

You have received several awards for your acting, including the 2007 Cesar Rising Star Award. While you were not nominated last year, Inglorious Basterds was up for several Oscars. Were you excited?

ML: Quentin invited me to the Oscars. I was in a play so I couldn't go. I went on the Japan tour. We had a great time. I was disappointed he did not win for his script. 

Was there any truth to the rumor that you were romantically involved with Quentin during the making of Inglorious Basterds?

ML: Is that what people said? With Quentin? That's funny.

Regina Weinreich

Graphic Design: Salpeter Ventura

Comments

[violin beginner lessons]

Wow that should be interesting to watch! I've seen clips with Laurent in it and she's kinda good.

[New Balance Sneakers]

Life finds its wealth by the claims of the world, and its worth by the claims of love.Do you understand?

[gold guild wars 2]

"I did The Concert before Inglorious Basterds. By coincidence the two characters are close: very strong women focused on one thing, fragile, artistic. Shosanna is focused on movies, Anne-Marie on classical music. "It is a very attractive segment, I support you and look forward to you more and better work.

[TabithaWhitney31]

If you are willing to buy a house, you would have to get the business loans. Furthermore, my mother usually utilizes a small business loan, which supposes to be the most rapid.

[ajf8]

A point you said was very important,and could learn something from your articles,and in fact you also will know about ajf8 from my website,it is knowing each other,do you agree with me?come on to link my name firstly.

[jordan shoes]

Conscience is each person most equitable judge, you can deceive others but you can't cheat your own conscience.Do you think so?

[taobao]

*Good health, like air, is essential to human beings!*

[Jordan 1]

Who are the investment directors that are being tracked?

[taobao taiwan]

You have to be first, best or different,

[thomas charms]

I want your help. I like your blog. Your texts are interesting. I entered here by accident and I started reading. I became interested in the topic and I am thinking whether I could use your texts on my paper, of course with the quotation. Please contact with me, thanks very much.

[cheap supra shoes]

Don't be mislead by what I'm about to write. There are plenty of public courses I would rather play than some country clubs. If you're from the Pennsylvania area, Glen Mills comes to mind. However, private clubs offer a few things I personally enjoy.

[Discount Jordan Shoes]

Before I saw so many blogs, they can not make me satisfy at all, but now I have one which can make me satisfy, that is yours.

[barefoot shoes]

~~~~~~Most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century has been caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. *****
which result from human activity such as the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation****

[christian louboutin,christian louboutin shoes,christian shoes,high heels]

I want your help. I like your blog. Your texts are interesting. I entered here by accident and I started reading.

[sunglass oakley]

You play the violin so beautifully in this film. As far as I know, you are not a violinist. How did this role come to you?

[MBT Shoes]

In spite of its glory in history, these primitive, big looking boots failed

at its debut in the western society. There were even extremists who

organized a compaign to ask for these boots banned.

[Herve Leger]

Fantastic night shot with great colors and reflections. Happy new year!

[Dallas Home Security]

It's quite hard to find a good website. And I am very satisfied to have come here. The publications are doing great and full of good insights. I would be glad to keep on coming back here to check for a new update.

[xlpharmacy]

I would love to listen her. I didn't know that she played it. It would be great if there is a streaming service with it.

[Learnviolinguide.Info]

Ease back into light jogging after five days and resume your running routine for a while without treatment it may be a great way to get rid of violin 8th position, engage in a regular stretching program. violin 8th position symptoms vary from individual to individual. You may have to move your foot up toward your shin dorsiflexion and hold for 20 to 30 seconds and then relax to repeat the same by pointing the toes to the ground. These symptoms have garnered an official name, medial tibial stress fractures.

[Garcinia Cambogia WEight Loss]

We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

[Bulk USB drives]

Hello! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Many thanks! http://podcast.ffhs.ch/groups/bichsel11/wiki/df2ae/Promotional_USB.html

[online income access work from home]

Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful article. Thank you for providing this info.

[garcinia max]

Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However think of if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and video clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the best in its niche. Very good blog!

[video Production Business]

Excellent items from you, man. I've be mindful your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely great. I really like what you've received here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which during which you are saying it. You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it smart. I can not wait to learn far more from you. That is really a tremendous website.