ARTICLE

[InC-terview] with Populaire actress, Déborah Francois!

By InCinemas / 13 May 2013 (Monday)

The 25 year-old actress, Déborah Francois spoke to InCinemas over the phone, talking about her role in Populaire and how she felt being in the production!

(Click here to view trailers and stills!)

Synopsis of Populaire
Spring 1958. 21-year-old Rose Pamphyle lives with her grouchy widower father who runs the village store. Engaged to the son of the local mechanic, she seems destined for the quiet, drudgery-filled life of a housewife. But that’s not the life Rose longs for. When she travels to Lisieux in Normandy, where charismatic insurance agency boss Louis Echard is advertising for a secretary, the ensuing interview is a disaster. But Rose reveals a special gift - she can type at extraordinary speed.

Unwittingly, the young woman awakens the dormant sports fan in Louis. If she wants the job she’ll have to compete in a speed typing competition. Whatever sacrifices Rose must make to reach the top, Louis declares himself her trainer. He’ll turn her into the fastest girl not only in the country, but in the world!

But a love for sport doesn’t always mix well with love itself...

InCinemas: Hi Deborah! Tell us, how was the experience like being a character in the 50s?

Deborah: Its really good, playing the golden age of cinemas. Actors in the 50s inspire me a lot and the director showed me clips of interviews from the 50s and from the pictures he showed me, I learnt how to work and do it.

InCinemas: Name 3 things you like about your character, Rose Pamphyle.

Deborah: She is very spontaneous, she is always chasing the things that she likes, with or without the approval of her boss or men in general. She won’t change for people like her boss or men, and that’s something I like about her.

I also like her clothes as she gets to wear all the girly clothes. I personally like to wear the girly type of clothes like dresses and all that.

Lastly, I love the fact that she doesn’t know in the beginning that she’s gifted and she works towards her goals. That small town clumsy girl is very determined to accomplish her goals. That’s something I love about her.

InCinemas: What was your first reaction when you read the script?

Deborah: I completely fell in love with the character. I love the development of it, you know, it makes me laugh and it makes me cry. It’s just Wow, I really, really love her.

Populaire (M18) opens InCinemas 16 May with English & Chinese Subtitles

InCinemas: Were there any incidents/injuries during your filming since you were typing at such as fast speed?

Deborah: Not really during the actual shoot, but during the training. During my third week, I had to see a doctor like every two days because I was doing unusual movements and when you do the same things all the time, it affects the body. I went to see the doctor quite often, especially during my championship as I can be typing all day for 2-3 days, but I had a good doctor! *Chuckles*

InCinemas: Oh no, are you better now?

Deborah: Oh yes, yes! Much better, thank you.

InCinemas: How about your mobile phone, will you say you are a good typist?

Deborah: Well, no, I’m not good actually because you always use your hand, right? I’m only good with two fingers and when there is a tab. (tab stop: A location on the typewriter where the carriage movement is halted by mechanical gears.)

InCinemas: What’s your favourite line in the script?

Deborah: Hmmm.. that’s a difficult question... Maybe “It’s important to be No.1!”

InCinemas: Your career is definitely growing, with various nominations from the past few years. What are your hopes/plans for 2013?

Deborah: I don’t know. I would love to make different things, have the freedom to choose, even things I may do or not love. I wish to stay in foreign countries too!

(Read Populaire Review to find out more!)

InCinemas: What do you usually do when you’re not on a project/filming?

Deborah: Reading. I read a lot as I love books. I go back to (Belgium) to see my family because I’m living in Paris so sometimes I go back, and of course, shopping!

InCinemas: What kind of books do you usually read?

Deborah: Well, all kinds of books! I love science fiction and i love biographies, lots of different things.

InCinemas: Any specific characters you are dying to play/act in the future?

Deborah: Not specifically a character, but more like an action movie, I would love to try that! You know, have a gun and like run and have explosions around me from time to time, it’ll be fun.

InCinemas: What do you want the viewers to take away from this film?

Deborah: Maybe the fact that it is important to be number 1 but only if you can keep your love. I really think its a great success story and I think the character and I are the same in some ways, coming from the fact that we do what we want to do and do it well.

InCinemas: What do u think you would be doing if you’re not an actress?

Deborah: I would have a bookshop or I would be teaching literature.

InCinemas: Lastly, when will we be able to see you in Singapore again?

Deborah: I’ve been to Singapore about 3-4 years ago and I love Singapore, I love the place and people in Singapore! You know, invite me there and I’ve definitely attend!

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[InC-terview] with Populaire actress, Déborah Francois!