Anne Parillaud was born on May 6, 1960, in the beautiful city of Paris, France. Despite her extensive travels, she remains a Paris resident to this day. Her early life was marked by a passion for dance, as she studied ballet in school. This passion would later translate to her acting career, as she made her film debut in the 1977 movie "Un amour de sable," where she played the role of "La jeune fille avec un petit chat" or "The girl with a kitten."
However, it was her role as "Estelle" in the 1978 film "L'hôtel de la plage" that truly marked the beginning of her acting career. Despite having only appeared in the film during her summer vacation, Anne had caught the acting bug and went on to appear in eight more films before giving her breakout performance as "Nikita" in the wildly popular 1990 film "La Femme Nikita."
This role would prove to be a game-changer for Anne, as it spawned an American remake, "Point of No Return," starring Bridget Fonda, as well as a US television series, "La Femme Nikita," starring Peta Wilson. In preparation for this role, Anne took judo lessons for three months to ensure she was physically prepared for the demands of the part.
Anne has spoken about the transformative power of acting, stating that when she is on set, she can abandon herself and become fully immersed in the character. This is evident in her portrayal of Nikita, a character who is vastly different from herself. In fact, Anne has stated that she can't stand guns and even referred to Nikita as a "demon" that took over her for a time.
When it comes to selecting projects, Anne has a simple rule: the film must touch her heart. This is evident in her collaboration with director Luc Besson, with whom she had a daughter. Although the couple eventually separated, Anne has spoken highly of Besson and his ability to inspire her creatively.
Anne has also appeared in several films in the United States, including "Innocent Blood," in which she plays a French vampire. In this film, she starred alongside Anthony LaPaglia and played the role of Marie, a character who is struggling to come to terms with her newfound immortality.
In a 1992 interview, Anne spoke about her character, stating that Marie wasn't born a vampire and didn't choose to become one. Instead, she was transformed against her will, and the film is a commentary on the difficulties of being different in society. Anne believes that difference often leads to loneliness, and this theme is central to the movie.
Today, Anne continues to appear in films and is always led by her heart. She is someone who lives by impulse, and this approach has served her well throughout her career. Her many fans would agree that she has made a lot of wise choices, and her passion for her craft is evident in every role she takes on.
