Cecile de France, a talented Belgian actress, was born in Namur, Belgium in 1975. She discovered her passion for acting at a remarkably early age of six. With a burning ambition to pursue a career on stage, she left her home at the tender age of seventeen to relocate to Paris. Prior to embarking on her professional journey, Cecile underwent rigorous training in drama under the guidance of renowned actor and assistant to Peter Brook, Jean-Paul Denizon. She further honed her skills by enrolling in the prestigious Ecole National Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre, where she refined her craft through classes in fencing, dance, singing, and masquerade.
Cecile's impressive training and dedication did not go unnoticed, as she was soon snapped up by the cinema. The renowned director Richard Berry offered her her first significant role in L'art (délicat) de la seduction, marking the beginning of her successful film career. This was followed by a string of notable performances in both theatre and film, culminating in her breakout role as Isabelle in L'Auberge Espagnole (Potluck or Spanish Apartment),which earned her widespread acclaim and a César award for most promising young actress, as well as the prestigious Prix Louis Lumière. Two years later, she reprised her role in the sequel, Les Poupées russes (The Russian Dolls),for which she received a César for best supporting actress. Her subsequent collaboration with director Cedric Klapisch, Casse-tête chinois (Chinese Puzzle),is set to be released in France on December 4, 2013.
Cecile's versatility as an actress has allowed her to explore various genres, including horror, as seen in Alexandre Aja's Haute Tension (High Tension or Switchblade Romance),which showcased her ability to captivate audiences in a wide range of roles. Her impressive resume has also led to her being invited to host the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2005 by Gilles Jacob.
Throughout her illustrious career, Cecile has had the privilege of sharing the screen with some of the most esteemed actors in the industry, including Gerard Depardieu, Ulrich Tukur, Kad Merad, and Jean Dujardin, as well as working with renowned directors such as Etienne Chatiliez, Daniele Thompson, Claude Miller, Cedric Klapisch, Claude Chabrol, and the Dardenne brothers.
Cecile's American career, which began with a cameo appearance in Around the World in 80 Days alongside Jackie Chan, recently entered a new phase in 2009 with her collaboration with Clint Eastwood on the film Hereafter.
Despite her success in film, Cecile has always maintained a deep affection for the theatre, and will soon be reprising her role in a new reading of Anna, a Serge Gainsbourg musical, at Lyon and Paris.
