Francois Ozon is a filmmaker renowned for adopting a different style with every film — he has made scathing, pseudo-pornographic short features ("Sitcom," "See the Sea"), a rich, velvety musical ("8 Femmes"), and a restrained but sensual tale of bereavement ("Under the Sand"). His latest, "Angel," channels grandiose Hollywood melodramas of the 1940s and stars Romola Garai (Ozon refers to her as his muse) who even looks a little like Vivien Leigh. "Angel" is Ozon's first venture into English-language films and though he professed to have "full control" over the language and his cast, preferred that the interview be done in French. "I feel better if I speak my thoughts in French," is how he put it, and indeed, he proved very eloquent on how he views women (his favorite subject), filmmaking and "Angel."
In your opinion, what was it that ultimately led to Angel's downfall?
Angel had talent, and she was also ferociously ambitious. That drive to succeed is more common among women than one may think. But at the same time, having gotten to where she wanted to be, she became unwilling to change, or evolve. She built up this system, and stayed in it. That did her in, because as an artist one must keep moving, and evolving. Speaking for myself, I hate repetition and treading over familiar ground. I always want to go forward, go some place I've never been. If I may be allowed to say so, I think many women are like Angel in that they like to build something and remain in it. Reflection, and a willingness to correct oneself is also important. These are also things that Angel refused to face.