After the Oscar for best original screenplay, the doors of Hollywood “are open”, says French director Justine Triet

Since the Palme d’Or in May, “Anatomy of a Fall” has racked up international awards with two Golden Globes, a Bafta (equivalent to a British Cesar) and several American critics’ awards.

Just won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Anatomy of a fall, Justine Triet spoke on Monday during an interview with AFP about the possibility of working in the United States, and in particular with American actors.

“The doors (of Hollywood), yes, they are open”, declared the French director in Beverly Hills, the day after this historic victory shared with her companion Arthur Harari.

“I need to sit down and know exactly what I want to do.” however, she said from the residence of the French consul. “I would definitely love to work with American actors,” said Justine Triet, wondering: “Am I going to take them to my territory rather than relocating myself? I don’t know. I can’t know that yet.”

Two Golden Globes, a Bafta

Since the Palme d’Or in May, Anatomy of a fall has accumulated international awards with two Golden Globes, a Bafta (equivalent to a British Caesar) and several American critics’ awards.

If he couldn’t do anything against the steamroller Oppenheimer for the Oscar for best film, this legal drama which chronicles the fall from grace of a couple nevertheless marks a very good journey. With five nominations, he has established himself as the best representative of French cinema across the Atlantic since Love, Oscar for best foreign film in 2013, and The Artist, who won five statuettes in 2012.

“A lot of chance”

Returning to the evening of the Oscars, Justine Triet said on Monday that she had been “extremely moved” when receiving his statuette. “I think it’s the first time I’ve been so moved”she explains. “I forgot half of my speech on stage. My heart was beating too fast.” And when he left the stage, the tears. “I cried for five minutes,” says the director, faced with this overflow of emotions.

With this recognition at the Oscars, a new page is also turning. “I think now my life is going to be a little more depressing“, laughs Justine Triet. “I was still very lucky”she slips. “I met actresses, actors, directors that I admire and that I never thought I would meet in my life. So, it’s very, very joyful.”

During the film’s promotional campaign, the director was able to meet Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. This last “liked the film a lot”, she said in February.

With Steven Spielberg, the adventure may just be beginning. During the Oscar nominees’ lunch, Arthur Harari was able to talk at length with him. “It turns out that he wanted us to meet, and he commissioned a script from us, it’s the most absurd thing we’ve ever experienced”, revealed the director. Arthur Harari confirmed the discussion with the famous filmmaker, but initially tempered the announcement: “It was completely random to find ourselves next to him, we talked a lot, no, there is no project at all, but he seemed to be very interested in the script.” Before specifying that the director of Schindler’s List said he would like “that one day [nous lui écrivions] a scenario of this level of complexity.” “I fell out of my chair”added Arthur Harari.

Now there remains the question of where to put your Oscar statuette. “I don’t know. I’m afraid my daughter will steal it from me. But I’m happy to have this naked man in my home in gold”, says Justine Triet.