Floating Friday evening on the Croisette, an air of Middle Earth.
To open its sixth edition, the Canneséries festival awarded its revelation prize to Morfydd Clark.
In Amazon Prime's blockbuster series
The Rings of Power
, a prelude to the events depicted by Tolkien in
The Lord of the Rings
, the Welsh comedian appropriates the character of Galadriel.
The future great and wise elven queen of Peter Jackson's trilogy, played by Cate Blanchett.
For her first recurring role in a series, the 32-year-old actress has risen to the top.
But remains in interview with a disarming spontaneity and enthusiasm.
Le Figaro - What does this Madame Figaro Rising Star Award inspire in you?
Morfydd Clark.
-
I can't believe it.
I am deeply grateful.
It's a crazy chance to be the headliner of a program watched around the world.
At school, I was a calamity in French.
Having been unable to unravel this mystery, I always had the impression that your culture and language were phenomenal.
This award for such a young, warm-hearted French festival touches me more than you might imagine.
The Rings of Power
ended with the thunderous revelation that Galadriel Halbrand's handsome traveling companion was none other than the devious and dangerous Sauron in human form.
Which unleashed the fans.
Did you follow their heated debates?
I have never been more anxious in my life than in the weeks leading up to the launch of the series.
Until then,
The Rings of Power
belonged entirely to me.
Once uploaded, it becomes the property of the fans.
I love their imagination.
I don't go online.
But my sister scours the forums and selects for me the theories that I might like.
Some extraordinary ones defy belief.
Others are hitting the bull's eye.
But I can't tell you more.
I did not expect the relationship between Galadriel, Elrond and Halbrand to be dissected to such an extent even if I imagine that the slightest hint of forbidden - and again I am afraid with this word to say something that I shouldn't - can only stir up passions.
Halbrand's hold over Galadriel was less connoted in the storylines.
It was Charlie Vickers who plays Halbrand who had the idea to make it ambiguous.
Assuming that these quasi-divine beings can feel human emotions.
Were we in a relationship of seduction or power?
It's up to the viewer to decide.
Extremely kind, Charlie was the best partner to play him.
I can't wait to see what he does with his Sauron.
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Looking back, how do you view Galadriel's trajectory?
In
The Lord of the Rings
, Galadriel is at peace with her and rules over Lothlorien.
The series takes this path backwards by imagining the most extreme starting point.
It's soothing to know that no matter her sadness, her loneliness that entirely consumes her soul and obliterates the rest in this first season, to which is added Halbrand's betrayal, she will overcome these trials.
For the immortal beings that are the elves, the course of time is different.
We can be separated for entire lives and find ourselves like Galadriel and her husband Celeborn, for the moment missing but present in
The Lord of the Rings
.
That's what I love about fantasy: through magic, human experiences pierce through.
Morfydd Clark in The Rings of Power Amazon Prime
You said it and said it again, the writings of Tolkien rocked your childhood.
I was born in Sweden.
It was first the stories of Astrid Lindgreen, creator of
Pippi Longstocking,
that accompanied me.
It was my gateway to fantasy.
Suffering from attention disorders that made my schooling difficult, the fantasy characters, who managed to exist otherwise, were a great source of comfort.
Wandering through the Misty Mountains with the Hobbits, who have always had my heart because of their benevolence and vulnerability, was a wonderful escape.
The Peter Jackson trilogy came out when I was 12.
I was bewitched.
During a bad spell at school, I even watched
The Two Towers
every day.
My parents were a little worried (
laughs
).
When I realized that I was auditioning for
The Rings of Power
, I said to myself:
“No right to fail, you have to succeed”
.
To find myself in the New Zealand landscapes was enchanting.
What was the tipping point that made you embrace your acting career?
I had to leave school at 16.
I absolutely did not know how to bear and manage the stress of exams.
I auditioned for the Youth Theater Company of Wales.
I couldn't believe that after so many reproaches at school, people finally wanted me.
On stage, no one scolded me anymore.
I was laughing.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged.
I continued and get a place in conservatory.
I had the incredible chance that my first steps in front of the camera were in 2014 in front of the historical drama
The Falling
by Carol Morley.
She protected us, made us feel safe.
This does
Game Of Thrones
) and Florence Pugh (
Don't Worry Darling
) are also in demand these days.
The psychological horror film
Saint Maud
which was my first experience of a leading role was also a special experience.
I discovered that I loved horror, a mind-blowing testing ground with an audience that still appreciates risk-taking, even if it doesn't work out.
What can you tell us about Season 2 of
Rings of Power
that you are currently filming?
Nothing, except that it is exciting!
I'm too afraid to accidentally let out a spoiler.
It's prodigious to be able to reconnect with your character and your playing partners. You also had to get back in shape: horse riding, sequence of fights and stunts.
I had let myself go a little on that level (laughs).
One of the most surreal moments was the passage of Prince Williams on our sets.
It's amazing to think that this public figure is a fan of our work.
We even chatted in Welsh!
