Léa Seydoux: Hollywood’s Pressures vs. European Freedom

French actress Léa Seydoux, known for her roles in Hollywood blockbusters like James Bond and Dune: Part Two, has shared her perspective on the challenges faced by women in the American film industry. Despite her success in Hollywood, Seydoux expressed in a recent Harper’s Bazaar interview that being a woman on screen is easier in Europe.

Seydoux pointed out the harsh treatment of women in the American industry, particularly the challenges of aging. She emphasized the economic nature of Hollywood, where women often feel the pressure to conform to certain standards to maintain their desirability and contracts.

In contrast, she highlighted the greater ease for women on screen in Europe, where the industry allows more freedom and isn’t as stringent with checkboxes.

Léa Seydoux

As she navigates both Hollywood and European cinema, Seydoux emphasized her strength in travel and adaptation, asserting her preference for the freedom she experiences as a European actress. She expressed her reluctance to conform to the American system, stating, “I want the system to adapt to me!”

In a nod to her latest French film, The Beast, Seydoux provided insights into its satirical take on mainstream American moviemaking and its fixation on youth.

The film, set in 1910, 2014, and 2044, showcases Seydoux’s versatility as an actress. Reflecting on a challenging scene involving a bath of gelatinous black gunge, she humorously remarked, “Sometimes you have to do uncomfortable things.”

For Seydoux, the contrast between the expectations in Hollywood and the creative freedom in European cinema underscores the complexities and pressures faced by women in the global film industry. Her candid remarks shed light on the broader conversations around gender dynamics and representation in Hollywood.

Joanne Wells

Joanne Wells is a media journalist for ScreenNearYou. She reports on the inside conversations in Hollywood. Also, she loves pizza!

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