Léa Seydoux Starring in the Opening Film Beauty and the Beast Attends the Press Conference of the 4th BJIFF

　　The grand opening ceremony of the 4th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) is forthcoming in the year marking the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France. Beauty and the Beast, a French romantic fantasy film, will be the opening film of the BJIFF. Christophe Gans who directed the film and the film’s leading actress Léa Seydoux – winner of the Golden Palm Award last year – were invited to Beijing as distinguished guests.

　　The International Superstar Léa Seydoux’s Presence Adds Glory to BJIFF Red Carpet

　　Léa Seydoux was born to a family that has a lot to do with the film industry. As it happened, she turned into and blossomed as an actress. In 2008 she was nominated for the César Award for the Most Promising Actress for her performance in La Belle Personne. In 2009, she played in the American film Inglorious Bastards directed by the talented wizard-director Quentin Tarantino, which marked Léa started her acting career in English films. Afterward, she played the woman spy Sabine Moreau in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol where her coolness and stunning beauty amazed the audience. The directors she has worked with include international prize winners like Raúl Ruiz and Amos Gitai and international commercial blockbuster directors who enjoy resounding reputation. Her performance of different roles and the charm exuding thereby is so captivating.

　　In 2013 Léa Seydoux starred in Blue Is the Warmest Color, which was screened in many influential film festivals. She won the Golden Palm Award in the 66th Cannes International Film Festival, France, for her performance in this film, the first ever film that fetched three Golden Palm Awards, with the other two going to the director and the leading actor respectively. Also with this film Léa Seydoux was nominated for the 39th César Award for the Best Actress and the 17th Online Film Critics Society Award for the Best Supporting Actress. Indeed she has made a fruitful career. In recent years, the frequently sought-after Léa in the French film community has been invited by Woody Allen and Wes Anderson to star in their new movies.

　　Now, Léa Seydoux with her latest movie Beauty and the Beast has landed in BJIFF, happy and excited. At the press conference her very appearance sent the media present erupting with cheers, which evidenced that the leading actress from France has immense charm. Though in a somehow casual dress, she carries herself in a way typical of an elegant French woman. In the on-site interview, she said, “I’m very proud to be here with my film Beauty and the Beast and very honored to see it is the opening film of Beijing International Film Festival. This film just premiered in France on Valentines’ Day this February. I wish all the Chinese audience will love this film. ”

　　The Fantasy Blockbuster Beauty and the Beast as the Opening Film Depicts a Typical French Romantic Story

　　This year marks the 50th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and France, so the 4th BJIFF has selected the film adapted from the classic story Beauty and the Beast to be the opening film. The story has been adapted into numerous versions: as early as 1946 there appeared the black and white film about this story, in 1991 the namesake cartoon film was produced by Disneyland and the namesake TV episodes by CW, with the plot recreated in diverse ways. Particularly, the TV episodes by CW have rendered the classic story into a modern criminal story.

　　Starring Vincent Cassel and Léa Seydoux, this brand new presentation of the story is directed by Christophe Gans who is also the director of Silent Hill. Aside from the famous stars, personal life of Vincent Cassel also adds food for talk about this film. As the ex-husband of the sexy actress Monica Bulluci, Vincent Cassel has been much talked of as a sensitive topic. The two played a couple in many films, including L'Appartement in 1996 and Irreversible in 2002 where they presented an extraordinary romantic story. But amid the shooting process of Beauty and the Beast in 2013, the two announced separation, which shocked the world. Even today their confusing relationships are eagerly followed by various media.

　　The extensively watched new-version Beauty and the Beast not only involves superstars, but also features many elaborately made special effects typical of blockbusters. Whether the settings reminiscent of the European oil painting or the magnificent gowns for important occasions, they all demonstrate the gorgeous and romantic style typically found in France. The fairytale presented by real people brings a magic touch to the old story, an indeed perfect combination of craft and art.