"I'm a sexual object," the tall, pale, dark-eyed Garrel said with a smile, taking a drag on his fifth Marlboro at a café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. "It's true that for me there's something very sexual about the cinema. Not in the sense of the act, but of creating desire." says Louis Garrel in an interview conducted by Kristin Hohenadel.

- - -

- - -

Unlike his American counterparts, the award-winning French actor is not afraid to do nude scenes or play unconventional characters. The same applies to another talented actor, the very popular Gaspard Ulliel. Says Karen Durbin (in one of our favorite quotes):

Gaspard Ulliel is French cinema's rising star, repeatedly honored in the category of most promising actor. But playing his first leading role, opposite Emmanuelle Béart in André Téchiné's ''Strayed,'' he seems fully arrived, showing us the facets of a complex and mercurial character like a blackjack dealer shuffling a deck of cards.

In our continuing series featuring some of the actors that maybe big winners in the updated Top 50 hottest young actors, we feature two from France!

The Start of Something 'Big': Both actors come from a family of artists. Garrel is the son of director Philippe Garrel, the grandson of actor Maurice Garrel and his mother is actress Brigitte Sy. Ulliel's parents are both stylists and at 12 years old, he appeared in the TV film "Une femme en blanc".

These two actors also studied acting. After completing his studies at the lycée (French high school), Gaspard majored in cinema at the University of Saint-Denis with plans to become a film director. Garrel attended drama school at the Conservatoire National in Paris, France.

- - -

The French Way: Naked and Gay? If you love watching French films like I do, then you know quite well that nude scenes are very common. Controversial French filmmaker Catherine Breillat is famous for the explicit eroticism of such films as "Fat Girl" and "Romance." Other top French filmmakers also made movies with lots of sex and love scenes.

One of Garrel's earlier films, from Bernardo Bertolucci, entitled The Dreamers, required the actor to do a lot of nude scenes- with co-stars Eva Green and Michael Pitt. Says Roland A. Zwick @IMDb:

In 'The Dreamers,' Isabelle (Eva Green) and Theo (Louis Garrel) are twins who have developed a rather 'unnatural' attraction to one another, becoming 'one' in virtually every way imaginable - physically, spiritually, psychically. Matthew (Michael Pitt, who looks for all the world like Leonardo Di Caprio) is the young American in Paris whom they pull into their strange little world of sexual intrigue and emotional games. Matthew is a product of his time, a young man who is not very experienced in the ways of the world but who is willing to partake in the moral relativism that is permeating the culture. Thus, he becomes the perfect candidate for Isabelle and Theo to work their magic on. Their power of attraction proves overwhelming and irresistible for Matthew, for they are both exotically beautiful creatures, seemingly in tune with the trendy radicalism swirling around them.

See the trailer of the movie [ courtesy of youtube ]:

- - -

- - -

Louis' role is a bit hard to classify in terms of his sexuality- but there is definitely an attraction between him and Pitt's character. It was reported (but we cannot confirm) that some sex scenes between the two actors were deleted by the filmmaker.

Gaspard Ulliel's earlier film called The Last Day (Le Dernier jour) had the actor play Simon, a gay character, the story is about a man whose return to his hometown "is offset by his unrequited love for another man." This review @IMDb says it all:

People will look at it now, because lead actor Gaspard Ulliel's strong presence and savage faun look have made him a star. He has shone in such films as Téchiné's Égarés (Strayed) and the upcoming Hannibal Rising that exploit his wild look, his animalistic air of danger. He is frequently seen as frightening and independent. He is sweet as the boyfriend in A Very Long Engagement, though. The Last Day shows him off better as an actor because here he is almost always on screen, but is allowed to be hesitant, mysterious -- the essence of a film that holds back its meanings and makes us guess what's going on. Simon is delicate, thoughtful and kind, a manchild and a slightly maladroit creature who detaches by filming and photographing the world. In playing Simon, Ulliel reveals admirable restraint. He shows how an actor must use he physical equipment. His looks are striking, but what counts is that he can do such different things with them.

In The Last Day, Gaspard did play a gay role, but there's limited intimate scenes. However, in one of his latest films, Jacquou le Croquant, he did some delicate scenes- very artistic yet erotic... and showed his behind. I don't think any of his American counterparts could muster the courage to do that! I find this Laurent Boutonnat film to be one of Gaspard's best. ( Find out more of Gaspard Ulliel's best movies in this article. ) See one of many's favorites- the dance scene [ courtesy of youtube ]:

- - -

- - -

Critical Acclaim: Gaspard won 5 major awards in France already- including Most Promising Actor (Meilleur jeune espoir masculin) for A Very Long Engagement ( Un long dimanche de fiançailles). Garrel, on the other hand, got 2 major awards- including Most Promising Actor (Meilleur jeune espoir masculin) for Regular Lovers ( Les Amants réguliers).

Ulliel's winning the Most Promising Actor award for A Very Long Engagement is somewhat a surprise, since his role is not really that long or quite that important. I thought he should have won via André Téchiné's Strayed (Les Égarés). This is a more substantive role for Ulliel and he really hit the target!

- - -

Coming up! Both actors have been cast in a number of upcoming films. Ulliel's next movie, The Vintner's Luck is described as his most important role to date, while Garrel's latest 'Love Songs' has just been shown in theatres. Coming up for Garrel are Choisir d'aimer and La Frontière de l'aube.

There are of course, a lot of talented and young French actors- Malik Zidi, Nicolas Cazale, Nicolas Duvauchelle and Jean Baptiste Maunier. We'll have them too @tMFvery soon!

- - -

What's on your mind? What do you think of Gaspard Ulliel and Louis Garrel and have you watched them already? Are they two of the hottest young actors in cinema today? Let us know what you think!

- - -

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Hits: 1325

Comments (13)

Gaspard!!!

Great article! We've heard so much of Robert Pattinson, its about time the SPOTLIGHT is on GASPARD!!! Yeah, he was nominated for 3 times in the Cesars (the French equivalent of the Academy) so that makes him awesome!

jennilyn , August 20, 2008

...

There are some who seem to like Gaspard, but I can't say either way. I've seen nothing that either one of them have been in. That's cool that they both have won so many awards...I can't help but wonder what the competition is like however.

I can't say much else on these two actors, without having see them in their films. But, it's good to share the love a little...Robert Pattinson wouldn't want All the attention!

blearyeyedmesgirl , August 20, 2008 | url

Great French actors to see

I agree that both actors have already shown their ability to perform in a brilliant fashion. Although I agree that Ulliel's part in A very long engagement was rather small, I think he pull it with such art that it's worth many prizes. I also think that his performance in Gus Van Sant's fragment of Paris, je t'aime it's exceptional.
As for Garrel, I think that just for having brought such characters as the one in The Dreamers and his late Love Songs he deserves all of the attention.

Fabri Silva , August 20, 2008

Gaspard is awesome!

I watched almost all of Gaspard Ulliel's movies- and there is one singular adjective I'll use: INTENSE!

I'm not French so it was a bit hard at first to really understand the dialogue, but it was watching Strayed that made me a fan. There are movies that might be in a different, foreign language but you still can follow what's going on. He's that special!

I think he is the hottest young actor in all of cinema, competition is simply blown away- whether they're British, American or Canadian or from some other places.

JessD , August 20, 2008

...

Sorry but Gaspard is so over rated. His performance in the admittedly poor Hannibal Rising was decidedly average. I think Americans love to quote his name to look as if they understand the international film scene. Javier Bardem - now there's an international actor worth discussing.

Kate , August 21, 2008

so wrong an assumption!

You apparently have no idea what you're talking about!

Sorry but Gaspard is so over rated. His performance in the admittedly poor Hannibal Rising was decidedly average. I think Americans love to quote his name to look as if they understand the international film scene.

That's one in many films from Gaspard. It was projected to earn so much but still manage to hit the mark. It's the ONLY English language film of Gaspard and to make Hannibal Rising the sole basis in determining the acting ability of Mr. Ulliel is not only unreliable but biased.

The international movie scene is not only limited to the French new wave, but if you're really into world cinema, then you should know that there are German, Italian, Scandinavian, even Russian movies that make up the so-called European cinema, comprising majority of the international scene.

Niki Caro must be so totally clueless to cast Gaspard in the the much-awaited The Vintner's Luck if he's over-rated. Whatever you want to say, you have no basis for your declaration!

Jennalyn , August 21, 2008

...

I've seen Gaspard in a couple of films now but I cant say he grabs me. He's the french equivalent of Jonathan Rhys Meyers as far as I'm concerned - lets just say thats not much of a compliment in my books.

liz , August 21, 2008

...

I think Gaspard is such a talented actor, especially for his age. He's not afraid to take on harder roles which is really impressive! I think a lot of actors could learn a thing or two from him. He carries a bit of intensity with him in every role i've seen!

Ilona , August 25, 2008

...

I have never seen someone so versatile and talented as Louis Garrel. His decision to usually play Christophe Honore's characters have done him good. There was one moment in love songs, that passed the language barrier, one could understand every emotion he felt. I cannot wait to see what he does next. Fun fact: Gaspard Ulliel co-starred with Gregoire Leprince Ringuet (another fabulous french actor) in Strayed who also worked with Garrel In Love Songs.

Anuradha , September 06, 2008

...

I sincerely don't really know what the fuss is all about with Ulliel (I'm not saying he's a bad actor, of course, but I don't know, the guy just doesn't "move" me), but Garrel...oh wow, such talent, such intensity and such looks are too much for one person. Seriously, for someone to be so incredibly believable in all the roles he's played and at the same time be the kind of guy than can melt (and I use "melt" here 'cos I don't know if the actual word would be offensive to anyone here LOL) you with one look - and through the screen no less, I can only imagine how the aura he creates must be in person - is something quite rare. Just the fact that I'll get to watch "La frontière de l'aube", which was directed by his dad Philippe, IN PARIS in exactly 35 days is such a delight!

Ju , September 09, 2008

...

I am indeed a happy camper in discovering this article. Gaspard Ulliel is one of the most talented young actors today. Just the depth of the roles he has taken on recently is enough to convert a non-believer, if they took the time to watch him. But personally, I would have rather he won the Cesar with Strayed than A Very Long Engagement. There was such power in that first major performance of his. To judge him by Hannibal Rising alone is too bad. It wasn't exactly his finest hour, but even at his worst, he still shines through. I think Ulliel has only shown the tip of his acting talent and I expect magic from him in his coming films. Vinter's Luck and The Sea Wall is on my list of much watch films when they come out. And I am itching to see Third Part of the World! Him and Clemence are a dream team for me!

And Louis Garrel is equally noteworthy. Love Songs was wonderful, but that is so far the only one I've seen. I will have to educate myself more on his films before giving an opinion, but so far, I am liking what I'm seeing. The previous posters were right, he does have immense intensity to his acting.

Kaspersky , September 09, 2008

Wonderful article!

I loved the article, very good job, they are easily my favourite French actors, who star in many of my favourite French movies. They tend to add a special sexual atmosphere to any movie they're in and that's just wonderful to see.

However, I really prefer Louis to Gaspard (I'm sorry, but I didn't enjoy his performance in Hannibal Rising very much), however in many other films he's amazing: Les Égarés, Un long dimanche de fiançailles, Paris je t'aime, etc.. Louis, on the other hand, hasn't had a single 'oops' yet, in my opinion. Also, I find Louis incredibly handsome, sexy and irresistable, but that's just me.

HV , September 10, 2008 | url

Gaspard ❤ ✌

Omg .. i love him !!.. i love his acting aswell .. but he is soo hawt && sexy !! :P

Kate , October 13, 2008

Write comment

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

Add Comment Preview