Do you enjoy watching your films back?

Also, because the film is very close to the script from Peter Morgan.

Three characters converging towards each other.

And when I saw the film, it was very close to the script.

It was not a big surprise, of course.

And I was very, very impressed by the English parts.

I dont remember, whats the name of the actress who played the mother?

The mother of the twins?

Yeah, Lyndsey Marshal!

Shes a great actress.

And also I was very touched by the loneliness of the three characters.

And so the loneliness is very interesting, to feel what they feel in their lives.

Did you have discussions with Clint Eastwood about that?

Because he has a very macho image.

Did you talk with him about the emotional side of things?

Not at all, not at all.

Because, with Clint Eastwood, he trusts everybody.

He trusts all the members of his crew, he trusts all of the actors, he trusts everybody.

So, for him, he knows that we know what our job is.

And because the subject is very personal, whether it’s possible for you to believe or not.

If you didnt have a personal experience in your life, you dont have an opinion.

So, we never talk about the subject.

We never talk about the emotion of the characters, because he trusts us so much.

He just offers you the freedom and the responsibility to build your character as you want to do.

And the shooting is very quick.

And so, I think, he doesnt like to talk about the emotional difference.

Because, I think, for him the casting is the most important part.

So, how do you approach that?

Does it make the emotional stuff harder or easier?

No, for me, because Im an actress who prepares a lot.

So, I prepared a lot for my character.

So, if Clint Eastwood says after the first shot, Okay, lets do another sequence.

Lets do another scene.

Youre in good hands.

So, he just let us follow him and it was not a problem for me.

So, it was very exciting.

Its like the Olympic games, you know?

[laughs]

You must be prepared, and when its your turn, its your turn.

Its now or never.

So, each actor can do that.

You mentioned its a film about loneliness.

Did you see them at all on set?

Unfortunately,Matt Damon and I had only two days of shooting and very quick.

But its the same for the story.

And its a good thing when you discover the film to discover the two other parts.

And youve said how surprised you were that the script stayed so close to what it was.

Are you sometimes surprised by the finished film?

No, usually it is always like that, its the same.

Because I work like that.

Its not very difficult.

The script could be very, very different.

and because hes shooting universal subjects.

Or, for example, he has chosen me.

Im not famous in the United States, you know?

[laughs]

And its clever, because shes French.

Another director could do a very different film from the same script.

Is there a big difference for you in shooting each?

BecauseHigh Tensionis such a grueling film to watch, in a good way.

Yes, but its always the same.

Its between the director and you.

Of course, the comfort, that changes, of course, the shooting.

But the professional aspect, that doesnt really change.

And everything changes if you are not happy.

I dont care if we have money or not.

Thats not the problem.

And how was it on the set ofHigh Tension?

Its filled with severed hands, decapitations and some really intense scenes.

Was there fun and laughter?

Can you have fun and laughter on a set like that?

Everything inHigh Tensionwas made by hand, by his hand.

There is no digital effects.

[laughs] Its always very physical.

Its good, because Im from theatre and I didnt expect to do cinema.

For me, cinema, the movies, they keep the body from the head.

But its not by chance directors choose me for physical parts.

I like to do that.

I like to tell a story also with the body.

Its important, because you’ve got the option to tell a lot of things.

AndHereafterisnt your first American film.

Youd previously doneAround The World In 80 Days.

Would you like to do more American films, or big budget films like that?

[laughs] I didnt want to leave my friends in the theatre tour.

But they said, Okay, you’re free to go.

Im a very lucky person.

So, I dont care if its in Africa, in Asia, in Hollywood, or in Belgium.

Its all about a very good character, where I can bring something from my imagination.

I can create something, you know?

I dont want to be bored.

Cecile de France, thank you very much.

Hereafter is out now on DVD and Blu-ray.