His fondest memory of the Cannes Film Festival? In the year 2000, when Michelle Yeoh came to defend Tiger and Dragon, presented out of competition: "Cannes is a great place, but sometimes very brutal. We didn't know how this martial arts movie was going to be received. And then we were told that at its first screening, there was a standing ovation in the middle of the film after the first fight scene." Since then, the Malaysian actress has experienced other landmark moments in the history of cinema. Last March, she received the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Everything everywhere all at once (also crowned by the Oscar for Best Picture). She is the first Asian woman to receive this award.
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On May 21 in Cannes, Michelle Yeoh also became the winner of the Women In Motion 2023 award, awarded by Kering and the Film Festival to recognize women who are changing the landscape of contemporary cinema. On the same day, she returned, as part of a talk, on the impact of her Oscar and on the representation of Asian populations in cinema. But also on his projects, and on the importance of taking time for oneself.
In video, Cannes, the climb of the steps of May 21, 2023
Diversity
For Michelle Yeoh, it was obvious that the Academy of Oscars, often criticized in recent years for its lack of diversity, was not ready, so far, to reward an Asian actress. "Yet there are so many..." she added, referring in particular to China's Gong Li. For her, however, the representation of Asian populations is beginning to appear more in Western cinema. This is evidenced by the success of the film Crazy Rich Asians (2018): "This film, whose cast was entirely Asian, opened wide doors. And with Everything everywhere all at once, we knocked down walls." Nevertheless, we must not stop there: "Covid has been one of the most difficult periods experienced by humanity, it has called many things into question, served as a great "reset". We must take advantage of it and not fall back into bad habits. And those who have a voice that carries must speak in this sense." Starting with those who have power: "For equality and diversity, the fight must come from above as well as from below." By broadening, in particular the field of characters offered to Asian actors: "We want to be offered roles that are not defined as 'Asian characters'. We are actors first and foremost."
In video, 06400 Cannes, our Cannes postcard
Taking the time
At 60 years old, Michelle Yeoh also made an impression with a phrase pronounced during her acceptance speech, receiving her Oscar: "Don't let anyone tell you that your best years are behind you." She returned to this symbolic moment, stressing that "the older you get, the more things seem to shrink around you: you are offered fewer roles." A reality against which she intends to set herself up as a counter-example, encouraging women to keep trust: "I have always noticed that they are very critical of themselves. Men, much less."
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Today, Michelle Yeoh readily acknowledges that her Oscar has earned her news, and many proposals, giving a huge breath to her career. But she intends to make choices with discernment: "When you have great success, you wonder what you can do better next. I think I have to wait for great stories." Without forgetting, too, to breathe: "What would I like to do next? Take two weeks of vacation. The promotion of Everything Everywhere all at once was intense, followed by the Oscar campaign. But it's important to bring the films to the public." The one who has just finished filming her first musical, Wicked (with Ariana Grande) and will be in the next parts of the Avatar saga intends to take a necessary break: "It is important to make the conscious effort to take time for yourself."