Kate Winslet: "When friends tell me: 'It's awful, I gained weight during the Covid', I answer them: 'So what?'"

Cannes, last May.

We have an appointment with Kate Winslet in the L'Oréal Paris suite.

The English actress is more than a face for the cosmetics giant: she is officially designated as "international spokesperson".

Who better than her who has always been a voice not only for actresses but for women in general, star of "proximity", woman without artifice, whose naturalness, simplicity and radiant charisma really make her a celebrity apart : everyone loves Kate Winslet and praises her exceptional talent.

Immediately warm, she looks at you with her huge eyes, and it's Ophelia.

The next moment, she's laughing, and it's an ogress, powerful voice and cockney intonations of Londoner born in the suburbs of the British capital.

A-list star

Kate Winslet, 47 years old since October 5, has hardly changed since she was discovered in the early 1990s, in

(1994),

(1995), then

 (1997) of course, a tidal wave and a blow that made her and Leonardo DiCaprio, her partner, acclaimed international superstars, also hunted down.

After the monstrous success of James Cameron's blockbuster, one of the highest-grossing films in cinema history, she could have moved to Hollywood and led the unsurprising life of an A-list star.

She preferred to choose her side, that of a profession that she practices freely, as she sees fit, refusing to fit into the mold of formatted Hollywood femininity.

Long before the fashion for body positivism, Kate Winslet claimed her curves – her weight fluctuations were harshly commented on by the tabloids –, circumvented diktats and praised the “freedom to be yourself”.

Read alsoDouble-edged sword: the limits of body positive

Her very rich filmography lists illustrious (Polanski, Soderbergh or Todd Field) or lesser-known directors and, in recent years, like Cate Blanchett or Nicole Kidman, she has had the foresight to turn to television series (

which earned him a second Emmy Award, after the one won for

).

Kate Winslet, Oscar winner in 2009 for

, is expected in

, the second part of James Cameron's saga, then in

a biopic about photographer Lee Miller shooting.

Interview.

In video, the trailer of

Avatar: the way of the water

Madame Figaro

I'm lucky, because I grew up in a very happy family.

There were never any major dramas in my childhood, even if it was not privileged: my parents had no money, they were actors – most often unemployed.

We were sticking together and everything was pretty happy.

I was brought up in a particular way, without prejudice, without judgement.

I was always taught to treat people in an equal and respectful way.

To be yourself, to be free and feel good about yourself.

that I became famous in one movie.

At that time, in the late 1990s, the press had no regard for actresses.

Women's physique was discussed shamelessly and the bodies and weight of the actresses were commented on in particular.

I remember that time very well and, looking back, it feels shameful.

Read also"An embroidered sculpture": Kate Winslet looks back on the dress she wore at the Oscars the year of "Titanic"

We accept better today that women, even very scrutinized, can age naturally

Kate Winslet

How do you resist particularly cruel media pressure since it affects the intimate?

It probably requires strength, but even more so to be anchored, which has always been my case.

I knew that this period of excitement was temporary, that it would pass and that only real life counted.

I haven't changed one iota, I still think the same thing.

I stayed true to exactly who I am and that's what kept me healthy.

I am very happy to be able to say today: none of this matters.

When friends tell me: “It's awful, I gained weight during the Covid”, I answer them: “So what?

What is the problem ?"

Be happy, life is too short to waste it with such considerations.

There are things that are important and others that are less so.

And then, it's all a matter of choice.

, at the time, I could have decided to stick to the image that was expected of me.

But I would have lost myself, I would have gone mad becoming someone else.

I was driven by this survival instinct that told me that madness was not on my side: maybe the madmen were them after all?

Sure, the pressure of fame can be horrible, I agree, but frankly, I'm talking to you about another time, even if it's not that far away.

Mindsets are changing.

We accept better today that women, even very scrutinized, can age naturally, with grace, and display curves without being crucified.

The culture and the look are changing and that makes me happy.

How to age gracefully?

There's no formula, but in a way it's something you can decide.

It is out of the question for me that aging is a problem.

Let me explain: I'm proud of what I am, proud, not brave.

I am proud to grow old, to move forward in life, to know other life experiences, proud of my family and happy.

I don't want to change anything from that time, that time of my life, today and at my age.

Read alsoHide this little belly that you can't see?

Kate Winslet firmly refused to cheat in 'Mare of Easttown'

In Cannes, you awarded the Lights on Women prize, supported by L'Oréal Paris, which highlights young women directors of short films.

What do you think is the place allocated today to female directors in the film industry?

We are very likely to see female directors like Chloé Zhao, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jocelyne Morehouse, Nancy Meyers and, of course, others who have paved the way like Jane Campion flourish, all those artists who hold high the standard of feminine.

I am convinced that their impact is greater, even if obviously there is still a long way to go.

This is why I gladly agreed to be associated with the L'Oréal Paris Lights on Women award, which I consider a celebration.

It's symbolic, but it's more than that: an opportunity for these young women to be reunited and to be aware that they are being listened to, encouraged and supported.

It is essential to communicate, to share experiences, challenges, dreams, hopes, but also burdens.

What to change?

The whole culture.

What do you think of sorority, that buzzword.

Does it really exist in a profession where competition is fierce?

We talk about solidarity.

However, solidarity is almost the essence of our profession.

This is how it all begins, or how it should all begin, because making a film is a collective enterprise.

Cinema is people who unite their talents, who share an idea, who work together to achieve a common project.

We must not be afraid to confront ourselves, to ask, to recognize that we do not know or that we would like to learn.

Picking up his phone and saying, "Can you help me?"

This is solidarity.

Yesterday, I called a producer I didn't know very well to ask her to support a project.

We should not be afraid of this kind of initiatives.

This is also the magic of cinema, this chain of solidarity, and I am proud to be part of it.

There's nothing else to do but keep cheering each other on

Kate Winslet

In France, we have 25% of female directors.

In the United States, less than 5%.

How to explain it?

I can't explain it, because it's inexplicable.

Who else can explain it?

There is nothing else to do but to continue to encourage each other and support all female talent.

Telling women's stories, highlighting our heroines.

It's a question of perseverance, encouragement, commitment.

Read also“If you are embarrassed, do not hesitate to say so”: this front page of the

, 100% masculine, arouses indignation

Do you think you will lead one day?

Yes, I'm thinking about it, even if the thought worries me a little.

It's really a different job and I still love my job as an actress.

To direct, you have to be very comfortable with the technique and the camera, which is not really my case.

On the other hand, I think that I would know and like to direct the actors.

When I work with young actors, I observe them and I want to help them.

I give them advice, with respect.

I tell them, "I don't have anything to teach you about the game, but I can give you some technical tips that will save you time."

I just shot with my daughter Mia in the series

and I had the same momentum.

A woman understands what goes through your head when you haven't slept all night to watch over your sick child

Kate Winslet

Is it different to be led by a woman or a man?

Completely.

I was very lucky, I shot with remarkable directors who were also beautiful people.

But you establish a different relationship with a woman.

For example, I have often worked with directors who were also mothers and the connection is made immediately on the ground of motherhood.

A woman can understand what's going on in your head when you're on set at 5 a.m., but you haven't slept all night because you watched over one of your children who was sick and vomiting. .

You're on set, you think about it but don't complain.

Another woman understands that more easily than a man.

What do you think of the male gaze in cinema, this

Certainly, when I started.

But things were such that he was hardly noticed.

At that time, I would never have been able to say, "I'm not comfortable with this or that scene."

Yes, I have been vulnerable, and even afraid.

So yes, retrospectively, I can say that I sometimes suffered from the male gaze on certain shoots.

Fortunately, everything has changed and young actresses are very knowledgeable about the matter.

And then, now, there are intimacy coaches present on the sets to anticipate or resolve any problems.

What future for cinema?

The emergence of platforms means that there is a lot of work for actors, for all kinds of actors, for young actors, and a lot of very good roles are on the market.

So much for the good side of things.

The less pleasing aspect is that the cinema is weakened by it.

Yes, it's cheaper to watch a movie at home – and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

But it is unimaginable that the cinema does not regenerate.

Nothing is lost, even if I can clearly see that it is more difficult to set up projects than before.

There will always be tough guys, like Leonardo or me, who will never give up making movies.

And then, the problem is not new.

When I started, about thirty years ago now, I was constantly being blown away

ear that it wouldn't last.

And we are still here.

The love of cinema is there even in this particular period.

The final word ?

Be and stay yourself.

There is nothing else to add.

Kate Winslet is to be found in

, by James Cameron (released on December 14).

And on YouTube in the environmental documentary

, of which she is the narrator.