When you have a conversation with screen actress Déborah François, she’s always very uplifting, very approachable, in high spirits, and she’s lots of fun—to such an extent that you’d think she only appears and excels in comedies. But that particular gift of hers—being a natural talent in comedies—is only the tip of the iceberg. Specially since we all know this very accomplished actress has much more to offer, as she has shown over the years with the huge variety of characters she played in different genres.

Ms. François was born on May 24, 1987, in Liège, Belgium, and in her late teens, she became an internationally acclaimed actress renowned for her compelling and versatile performances and captivating screen présence. Her journey into the world of acting began at an early age, and right from the beginning, she demonstrated her natural talent and passion for the performing arts, and for bringing depth to complex characters.

She grew up in Belgium where she was exposed to a rich cultural environment that nurtured her artistic inclinations. Her interest in acting was evident from a young age, leading her to pursue roles in school plays and local theater productions.

Her big break came in 2005 when she landed a leading role in her first film, the critically acclaimed film “L’Enfant” (“The Child”), directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, a.k.a. the Dardenne brothers. Known for their deeply humanistic and naturalistic approach, the Dardenne brothers crafted a poignant narrative that explores themes of poverty, responsibility, and redemption, as the film tells the story of a young couple grappling with the realities of parenthood and poverty. In her debut film, she showed her exceptional acting abilities from the very first scene.

The central characters in the film are Bruno and Sonia, living in the industrial town of Seraing in Belgium, and at the heart of the story is their newborn son, Jimmy. Bruno, portrayed by Jérémie Renier, is a petty thief who survives on the fringes of society, indulging in small-time criminal activities. Ms. François plays Sonia, who, despite her youth and vulnerability, shows a deeper sense of responsibility and love for their child. Her portrayal of Sonia, the young mother who sells her newborn child, was both heart-wrenching and powerful, earning her widespread praise and recognition.

“L’Enfant” went on to win the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and catapulted her into the international spotlight; from the very beginning, she established herself as a rising young star in European cinema. Her performance in the film was lauded by critics and audiences alike, marking the beginning of what would become a successful and enduring career in cinema.

Following the success of “L’Enfant,” Ms. François took on totally different screen roles that demonstrated her range and versatility as an actress. For instance, she appeared in “La tourneuse de pages” (2006, a.k.a. “The Page Turner”) where she played the role of a young woman seeking revenge on a famous pianist—with a portrayal characterized by an intense, restrained emotion that builds up throughout the film, and is marked by subtlety and nuance. Another highlight in her career is “Les femmes de l’ombre” (2008, a.k.a. “Female Agents”), a powerful drama with Ms. François as a courageous member of the French Resistance during World War 2, alongside Sophie Marceau and Julie Depardieu, among others.

In 2009, Ms. François won a César Award, the French equivalent of the Academy Award, for Most Promising Actress for her role—another powerhouse performance of hers—as a rebellious teenager navigating the challenges of growing up in “Le premier jour du reste de ta vie” (“The First Day of the Rest of Your Life”), a touching family drama directed by Rémi Bezançon. Her César win was a recognition that solidified her status and to this day, she continues to be a significant presence and powerful force in European cinema. In addition to her César win, she has been nominated for and received multiple other awards over the years.

“Le premier jour du reste de ta vie” (2009, a.k.a. “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life,” trailer)

Ms. François continues to be an active and much sought-after actress who builds on her success by playing highly interesting screen roles. In Dorothée Van Den Berghe’s “My Queen Karo” (2009), she played a young woman growing up in a commune (opposite Matthias Schoenaerts), while in “Les tribulations d’une caissière” (2011), she took on a lighter role as a supermarket cashier who unexpectedly finds herself in the spotlight. The story revolves around her character Solweig Antoniazi, a young woman who works as a cashier in a supermarket. Her life is far from glamorous, filled with the daily grind of dealing with difficult customers, monotonous tasks, and the general chaos of retail work. However, her life takes an interesting turn when she starts a blog, anonymously sharing her experiences and the eccentricities of her job. Through her blog, she becomes an internet sensation, with readers eagerly following her witty and relatable posts about life behind the cash register.

“Les tribulations d’une caissière” (2011, trailer)

In “Populaire” (2012), a delightful romantic comedy, she demonstrated her comedic timing and charm. Set in 1958, the film blends charm, humor, and a delightful vintage aesthetic to tell the story of Rose Pamphyle (played by Ms. François), a small-town girl with dreams of escaping her mundane life. Eager to break free from her father’s small village and arranged marriage prospects, Rose travels to Lisieux to apply for a secretarial position at the insurance office of Louis Échard (Romain Duris) who notices Rose’s extraordinary typing speed and decides to hire her—on one condition: she must enter and win speed typing competitions. The film tells her journey to become the world’s fastest typist.

Ms. François delivered a lively and engaging performance, and brought a mix of innocence, determination, and charm to the role. Her chemistry with Romain Duris, who plays the stern yet supportive Louis, added depth to their evolving relationship. Bérénice Bejo, known for her leading role in the Academy Award-winning silent movie “The Artist” (2011), played Marie Taylor, Louis’s former lover and a key figure in Rose’s transformation.

Director Régis Roinsard captured the essence of the late 1950s with meticulous attention to detail. The film’s vibrant color palette, period-accurate costumes, and retro settings transported viewers to a bygone era.

All of the above indicates how talented Ms. François really is; it comes as no surprise that her performances are always praised for their depth and precision. And in her more recent work, which includes performances in “Maestro” (2014), “Cézanne et moi” (2016) opposite Guillaume Canet, and “Never Grow Old” (2019)—a Western starring John Cusack, with Ms. François playing the wife of Emile Hirsch—she reaches the exact same heights.

At age 37, her journey from a young aspiring actress in Belgium to an internationally recognized talent makes her one of the most reliable stand-out leading ladies in French-language film because of her passion, dedication, and remarkable acting skills. Despite her success, she has remained relatively private about her personal life as she keeps the focus on her work.

During last year’s Love International Film Festival Mons in Belgium, Ms. François was one of the guests of honor to introduce her then-latest feature film “Pauline le grandeur” where this 2024 interview with her was conducted. This year, she returned to the city of Mons to attend the 40th edition of the Festival as its President of the International Jury.

It was great to sit down with her again and talk about her life in Paris and her work as an actress; in the meantime, she has several new projects coming up, including “Les tourmentés,” written and directed by Lucas Belvaux.

Much like Marion Cotillard and Juliette Binoche, Ms. François speaks English very fluently, so this interview was conducted in English.

Ms. François, you are now the President of the Jury at the Love International Film Festival Mons. Do you watch films here any differently than when you go out and see one on your own, or see one on television?

I think I did. I used to have a different eye when I was at festivals, but in the end, it’s just about you being a member of the audience. So I watch it, and pay attention to what comes to your mind and soul, what you feel, do you have time to think about something else—that’s not a good sign [laughs]—do you follow what’s happening on screen… To me, there’s no real difference when I watch a movie here or when I do in my private life.

You see many films?

Yes. I also watch a lot of documentaries. I’m very passionate about documentaries. My favorite directors don’t always like that when I tell them. They say, ‘Well, what about fiction?’ But I like that too; I love going to festivals and see ten, fifteen or twenty movies—it’s like an injection of cinema.

When you go out in Paris and see a film in a theater, can you do that without being recognized?

Yes. People are very nice in Paris, and even if they recognize you, they go like, ‘Oh, she’s an actress.’ That’s cool.

How do you move around in Paris? You drive your car, take the subway, or a taxi?

I walk a lot, and I don’t realize it until my parents come to visit me. But I like the subway as well; I don’t take the bus. And only if it’s really late in the evening, I take a taxi. But walking in Paris is such a joy. It’s a great city to walk in, probably one of the best cities in the world. The charm of the city doesn’t fade with the years.

Maybe also because most of the people from the film industry live and work there?

No, I just think some cities are made to walk, and others aren’t.

You always choose roles that are entirely different from what you played before, like when you did “La tourneuse de pages” [2006, a.k.a. “The Page Turner”], “Le premier jour du reste de ta vie” [“The First Day of the Rest of Your Life”], or “Populaire [2012], so you’re very hard to pin down on a certain type of character and it prevents you from being typecast. Is that the secret of your long and rewarding career?

I think typecasting is more difficult at the beginning of your career when you have to start and you need to play characters that won’t get you typecast. At the same time, it depends on your first movie; the first things you do in your career are crucial, and what roles you were offered in those early years…

…and obviously you made the right choices because you never repeat yourself.

That’s right. And, at the same time, I also try to participate in cinéma d’auteur, indie movies.

Are there film directors on your wish list that you’d like to work with in the future?

Of course, a lot! I would love to work with Jane Campion, I would love to work with Damien Chazelle, I would love to work with that new generation, with Julia Ducourneau as well—there are so many. Also a lot of young women directors that are coming on the market.

When David Lynch was still alive, a lot of actors said that they would love to work with him.

That was so typical. He was a director with a very strong universe, and it’s always great to work with people like that. But I think I’m also very attracted to a newer generation that has a different eye on things. Fresh and original ideas that will surprise me. I love being surprised.

After you had appeared in “Never Grow Old” (2019) opposite John Cusack and Emile Hirsch, I thought this would be the beginning of an international career. Is that what you had in mind?

No, not at all. It just surprised me when I met the director, Ivan Kavanaugh, and I liked to work with him. It wasn’t actually my first movie in English; the first one was “Unmade Beds,” made in 2009. I always like to play and perform in different languages. I did so in French, English, in Spanish [“El practicante,” a.k.a. “The Parademic,” 2020], and a little bit of Flemish as well [“My Queen Karo,” 2009]. And I apologize to all the Flemish people for my accent, but I did my best. Later, they told me it was understandable, so I guess it was okay [laughs].

Love International Film Festival Mons,
March 12, 2025

FILMS

L’ENFANT, a.k.a. THE CHILD (2005) DIR – SCR Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne PROD Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne, Denis Freyd CAM Alain Marcoen ED Marie-Hélène Dozo CAST Jérémie Renier, Déborah François (Sonia), Jérémie Segard, Fabrizio Rongione, Olivier Gourmet, Anne Gerard, Bernard Marbaix

LA TOURNEUSE DE PAGES, a.k.a. THE PAGE TURNER (2006) DIR Denis Dercourt PROD Michel Saint-Jean SCR Denis Dercourt, Jacques Sotty CAM Jérôme Peyrebrune ED François Gédigier MUS Jérôme Lemonnier CAST Catherine Frot, Déborah François (Mélanie), Pascal Greggory, Clotilde Mollet, Xavier de Guillebon, Christine Citti, Jacques Bonnaffé

LES FOURMIS ROUGES (2007) DIR Stéphan Carpiaux PROD Stéphan Carpiaux, Jean-Luc Van Damme SCR Stéphan Carpiaux, Laurent Denis CAM Philippe Guilbert ED France Duez MUS Frédéric Vercheval CAST Déborah François (Alex), Frédéric Pierrot, Arthur Jugnot, Julie Gayet, Claire Johnston, Franck Sasonoff

L’ÉTÉ INDIEN (2007) DIR – SCR Alain Raoust PROD Bertrand Gore ED Sophie Deseuzes CAST Johan Leysen, Déborah François (Suzanne), Philippe Duclos, Johanna ter Steege, Brigitte Sy, Frédérique Bonnal, Thierry de Peretti, Birgit Ludwig, Laurent Sofiatti, Jean Ségani

LES FEMMES DE L’OMBRE, a.k.a. FEMALE AGENTS (2008) DIR Jean-Paul Salomé PROD Éric Névé SCR Jean-Paul Salomé, Laurent Vachaud CAM Pascal Ridao ED Marie-Pierre Renaud MUS Bruno Coulais CAST Sophie Marceau, Julie Depardieu, Marie Gillain, Déborah François (Gaëlle Lemenech), Maya Sansa, Julien Boisselier, Vincent Rottiers

LE PREMIER JOUR DU RESTE DE TA VIE, a.k.a. THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (2008) DIR – SCR Rémi Bezançon PROD Eric Altmeyer, Nicolas Altmeyer CAM Antoine Monod ED Sophie Reine MUS Sinclair CAST James Gamblin, Zabou Bretman, Déborah François (Fleur Duval), Marc-André Grondin, Pio Marmaï, Roger Dumas, Cécile Cassel, Stanley Weber, Gilles Lelouche

UNMADE BEDS (2009) DIR Alexis Dos Santos PROD Soledad Gatti-Pascual, Bertrand Faivre, Peter Ettedgui SCR Alexis Dos Santos, Marianela Maldonado CAM Jakob Ihre ED Olivier Bugge Coutté CAST Déborah François (Vera), Fernando Tielve, Michel Huisman, Iddo Goldberg, Richard Lintern, Katia Winter, Alexis Dos Santos, Lucy Tillett

FAIS-MOI PLAISIR!, a.k.a. PLEASE, PLEASE ME! (2009) DIR – SCR Emmanuel Mouret PROD Frédéric Niedermeyer CAM Laurent Desmet ED Martial Salomon MUS Jérôme Rebotier, David Hadjadj CAST Emmanuel Mouret, Judith Godrèche, Déborah François (Aneth), Frédérique Bel, Jacques Weber, Dany Brillant, Mikaël Gaudin, Fred Epaud, Frédéric Niedermeyer

MY QUEEN KARO (2009) DIR – SCR Dorothée Van Den Berghe PROD Frank Van Passel, Bert Hamelinck, Kato Maes, Arielle van Gestel CAM Jan Vancaillie ED Marie-Hélène Dozo CAST Anna Franziska Jaeger, Déborah François (Dalia), Matthias Schoenaerts, Maria Kraakman, Samuel du Chatinier, Cezanne Cuypers, Ward Weemhoff, Nico Sturm

LA MOINE, a.k.a. THE MONK (2011) DIR Dominik Moll PROD Michel Saint-Jean SCR Dominik Moll, Anne-Louise Trividic (novel “The Monk” [1796] by Matthew Lewis) CAM Patrick Blossier ED Sylvie Lager, François Gédigier MUS Alberto Iglesias CAST Vincent Cassel, Déborah François (Valerio), Joséphine Japy, Sergi López, Catherine Mouchet, Jordi Dauder, Geraldine Chaplin, Roxane Duran, Javivi, Pierre-Félix Gravière, Frédéric Noaille, Serge Faeuillard

MEMORIES CORNER (2011) DIR – SCR Audrey Fouché PROD Jérôme Vidal CAM Nicolas Gaurin ED Maxime-Claude L’Écuyer CAST Déborah François (Ada Servier), Hiroshi Abe, François Papineau, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Sansei Shiomi, Mitsuko Baishô, Seizô Fukumoto, Yura Arata, Minehiro Minamitani

LES TRIBULATIONS D’UNE CASSIÈRE (2011) DIR Pierre Rambaldi PROD Pierre Rambaldi, Serge de Poucques, Sylvain Goldberg SCR Michel Siksik (novel “Les tribulations d’une cassière” [2008] by Anna Sam) CAM Thomas Hardmeier ED Cyril Besnard MUS Emmanuel Rambaldi CAST Déborah François (Solweig Antoniazi), Elsa Zylberstein, Nicolas Giraud, Gilles Cohen, Firmine Richard, Marc Lavoine, Alice Belaïdi, Jean-Luc Couchard

ZARAFA (2012, animation) DIR Rémi Bezançon, Jean-Christophe Lie PROD Christopher Jankovic, Valérie Schermann SCR Rémi Bezançon, Alexander Abela ED Sophie Reine MUS Laurent Perez Del Mar CAST (voice only) Déborah François (Zafara), Thierry Frémont, Simon Abkarian, Ronit Elkabetz, Mohamed Fellag, Roger Dumas, Vernon Dobtcheff, François-Xavier Demaison, Philippe Morier-Genoud

POPULAIRE (2012) DIR Régis Roinsard PROD Alain Attal SCR Régis Roinsard, Daniel Presley, Romain Compingt CAM Guillaume Schiffman ED Sophie Reine, Laure Gardette MUS Robin Coudert, Emmanuel D’Orlando CAST Romain Duris, Déborah François (Rose Pamphyle), Bérénice Bejo, Shaun Benson, Mélanie Bernier, Nicolas Bedos, Miou-Miou, Eddy Mitchell

UN BEAU DIMANCHE, a.k.a. GOING AWAY (2013) DIR Nicole Garcia PROD Philippe Martin SCR Nicole Garcia, Jacques Fieschi CAM Pierre Milon ED Simon Jacquet MUS Eric Neveux CAST Louise Bourgoin, Pierre Rochefort, Dominique Sanda, Déborah François (Emmanuelle Cambière), Eric Ruf, Benjamin Lavernhe, Mathias Brezot

MAESTRO (2014) DIR Léa Fazer PROD Eric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer, Isabelle Grellat SCR Léa Fazer, Jocelyn Quivrin CAM Lucas Leconte ED Jean-François Elie MUS Clément Ducol CAST Pio Marmaï, Michael Lonsdale, Déborah François (Gloria), Alice Belaïdi, Nicolas Bridet, Dominique Reymond, Micha Lescot, Scali Delpayrat

FLEUR DE TONNERRE, a.k.a. THE POISONING ANGEL (2016) DIR Stéphanie Pillonca PROD Jean-Pierre Guérin SCR Stéphanie Pillonca, Gustave Kervern (novel “Fleur de tonnerre” [2013] by Jean Teulé) CAM Hugues Poulain ED Kako Kelber MUS Matthieu Gonet, Sylvain Goldberg CAST Déborah François (Hélène Jégado, dite Fleur de Tonnerre), Benjamin Biolay, Jonathan Zaccaï, Catherine Mouchet, Blanche François, Féodor Atkine

CÉZANNE ET MOI (2016) DIR – SCR Danièle Thompson PROD Albert Koski CAM Jean-Marie Dreujou ED Sylvie Landra MUS Eric Neveux CAST Guillaune Canet, Guillaume Gallienne, Alice Pol, Déborah François (Hortense Cézanne), Sabine Azéma, Pierre Yvon, Gérard Meylan, Laurent Stocker, Isabelle Candelier, Freya Mavor

MA FAMILLE T’ADORE DÈJÀ!, a.k.a. MY FAMILY LOVES YOU ALREADY! (2016) DIR Jérôme Commandeur, Alan Corno PROD Dany Boon, Yaël Boon, Eric Hubert, Laurent Storch SCR Jérôme Commandeur, Frédéric Jurie, Kevin Knepper ED Catherine Renault MUS Maxime Desprez, Michaël Tordjman CAST Thierry Lhermitte, Marie-Anne Chazel, Sabine Azéma, Déborah François (Eva), Arthur Dupont, Valérie Karsenti, Jérôme Commandeur, Éric Berger

CHACUN SA VIE, a.k.a. EVERYONE’S LIFE (2017) DIR Claude Lelouch PROD Claude Lelouch, Samuel Hadida, Victor Hadida SCR Claude Lelouch (adaptation by Claude Lelouch, Pierre Uytterhoeven, Valérie Perrin, Grégoire Lacroix) CAM Robert Alazraki ED Stéphane Mazalaigue MUS Francis Lai, Laurent Couson, Dimitri Naiditch CAST Éric Dupond-Moretti, Johnny Hallyday, Nadia Farés, Jean Dujardin, Christophe Lambert, Antoine Duléry, Marianne Denicourt, Rufus, Stéphane De Groodt, Déborah François (Jessica), Mathilde Seigner, Philippe Lellouche, Laurent Couson

LOUE-MOI! (2017) DIR – SCR Coline Assous, Virginie Schwartz PROD Kev Adams, Laurent Hadida, Samuel Hadida, Victor Hadida, Elisa Soussan CAM Mathieu Czernichow ED Nathalie Hubert MUS Alexandre Lier, Sylvain Ohrel, Nicolas Weil CAST Déborah François (Léa Masson), Alison Wheeler, Marc Ruchman, Benjamin Bellecour, Charlotte de Turckheim, Barnard Menez, Lionel Abelanski, Jacques Boudet, Arlé Elmaleh

L’AUTRE CONTINENT, a.k.a. TERRITORY OF LOVE (2018) DIR – SCR Romain Cogitore PROD Vincent Wang, Tom Dercourt CAM Thomas Ozoux ED Romain Cogitore, Florent Vassault MUS Mathieu Lamboley CAST Déborah François (Maria), Paul Hamy, Daniel Martin, Christiane Millet, Vincent Perez, Nanou Garcia, Aviis Zhong, Jürgen Zwingel, Adèle Choubard

NEVER GROW OLD (2019) DIR – SCR Ivan Kavanaugh PROD Jacqueline Kerrin, Nicolas Steil, Dominic Wright CAM Piers McGrail ED Bernard Beets, Dermot Diskin MUS Aza Hand, Gast Waltzing CAST Emile Hirsch, Déborah François (Audrey Tate), John Cusack, Molly McCann, Quinn Topper Marcus, Sam Louwyck, Camille Pistone, Danny Webb, Tim Ahern, Anne Coesens

L’ÈTAT SAUVAGE, a.k.a. SAVAGE STATE (2019) DIR – SCR David Perrault PROD Farès Ladjimi, Sylvain Corbeil CAM Christophe Duchange ED Maxime Pozzi-Garcia MUS Sébastien Perrault CAST Alice Isaaz, Kevin Janssens, Déborah François (Justine), Bruno Todeschini, Constance Dollé, Armelle Abibou, Maryne Bertieaux, Kate Moran

EL PRACTICANTE, a.k.a. THE PARAMEDIC (2020) DIR Carles Torras PROD Carles Torras, Miguel Ruz SCR Hèctor Hernández Vicens, David Desola (original idea by Carles Torras) CAM Juan Sebastián Vasquez ED Elena Ruiz, Emanuele Tiziani MUS Santos Martínez CAST Mario Casas, Déborah François (Vane), Guillermo Pfening, Maria Rodríguez Soto, Celso Bugallo, Raúl Jiménez, Pol Monen

MI SOLEDAD TIENE ALAS, a.k.a. MY LONELINESS HAS WINGS (2023) DIR Mario Casas PROD Núria Valls, Adrián Guerra SCR Mario Casas, Déborah François CAM Edu Canet ED Verónica Callón MUS Zeltia Montes CAST Óscar Casas, Candela González, Farid Bechara, Francisco Boira, Adolfo Parra, Yerlin Ureña Gil, Ángeles Moreno, Nur Olabarria, Rebeca Aliena, Déborah François (Francesca)

PAULINE GRANDEUR NATURE (2023) DIR Nadège de Benoit-Luthy PROD Elena Tatti SCR Nadège de Benoit-Luthy, Géraldine Keiflin, Delphine Lehericey, Catherine Paillé, Nicolas Pleskof CAM Dino Berguglia ED Myriam Rachmuth MUS Félix Fivaz, Mallika Hermand CAST Déborah François (Pauline), Thibault Evrard, Jo Deseure, Baptiste Gilliéron, Jean-Henri Compère, Sophie Breyer, Eva Monti

RAQA (2024) DIR Gerardo Herrero PROD Ana Inés Bistiancic SCR Irene Zoe Alameda (novel “Vírgenes y verdugos” [2019] by Tomás Bárbulo) CAM Juan Carlos Gomez ED Clara Martínez Malagelada MUS Paula Olaz CAST Álvaro Morte, Mina El Hammani, Abdelatif Hwidar, Crostina Kovani, Déborah François (Josephine), Fariba Sheikhan, Jalila Talemsi, Majdouline Idrissi, Ben Temple

FANON (2024) DIR Jean-Claude Barny PROD Adrien Chef, Louise Genis-Cosserat, Yanick Létourneau, Sébastien Onomo, Paul Thiltges SCR Jean-Claude Barny, Philippe Bernard CAM Ariel Methot-Beliemare ED Maxime Lahaie MUS Ludovic Louis, Thibault Agyeman CAST Alexandre Bouyer, Déborah François (Josie Fanon), Stanislas Merhar, Mehdi Senoussi, Olivier Gourmet, Arthur Dupont, Salomé Partouche, Salem Kali, Sfaya M’barki, Nicolas Buchoux

LES TOURMENTÉS (2025) DIR Lucas Belvaux PROD Patrick Quinet SCR Lucas Belvaux (also novel “Les tourmentés” [2023]) CAM Guillaume Deffontaines CAST Niels Schneider, Déborah François (Manon), Ramzy Bedia, Linh-Dan Pham