Diane Kruger redefines power and desire in HBO's French drama 'Merteuil' • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Meto (The Seduction): A new HBO original French series inspired by "Dangerous Liaisons," focusing on the rise of La Marquise de Merteuil and featuring a feminist perspective.
• Madame de Rosmont: Diane Kruger's character in "Meto," an older woman who mentors the young Isabelle, preparing her to become the Marquise de Merteuil.
• Feminist Perspective: A central theme in "Meto," offering a modern and refreshing take on feminism, coming-of-age, and women's liberation from societal constraints.
• Female Solidarity: An evolving theme in "Meto," contrasting with the typical portrayal of women as "catty" in historical dramas.
• 18th Century French Dialogue: A significant challenge for Diane Kruger in "Meto," requiring extensive relearning of the language due to daily rewrites.
• World War II Projects: Diane Kruger's recent engagement with films set during WWII, such as "Amram" and "Each of Us," driven by a desire to understand historical realities and women's experiences.
• "Each of Us": A film focusing on the female reality of a male-driven war, specifically depicting four women in a female-only work camp.
• "Amram": A World War II drama where Diane Kruger plays a Hitler-hating farmer, exploring themes of disillusionment with the Nazi regime through the eyes of a young boy.
• Neo-Nazism and Morality: "Amram" is discussed as a film that sparks reflection on individual morality and thinking for oneself, rather than explicitly teaching lessons about the rise of neo-Nazism.
• Fear of Horses: Diane Kruger's personal phobia, which has led her to refuse roles involving horses.
• German Production Sets: Diane Kruger's positive experiences on German sets, describing them as feeling like "coming home."
• Connection to Homeland: A growing sense of connection to Germany, particularly as she ages and becomes a mother, emphasizing the importance of passing on roots and language.
• "Little Disasters": A British TV series where Diane Kruger plays Jess, a woman accused of child mistreatment, exploring themes of child abuse and postnatal depression.
• Motherhood: A profound and challenging experience for Diane Kruger, influencing her approach to roles and her understanding of societal stigmas.
• Future Aspirations: Diane Kruger expresses a desire to take on roles in adult romance films, similar to classics like "An Unmarried Woman" or "Kramer vs. Kramer."

"Meto" (The Seduction) and Madame de Rosmont

Diane Kruger discusses her role as Madame de Rosmont in the new HBO original French series "Meto," also known as "The Seduction." She explains that her character serves as a prequel to the Madame de Merteuil known from previous adaptations of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 18th-century novel "Dangerous Liaisons." In "Meto," Madame de Rosmont, an 80-year-old figure in the book, is portrayed as the aunt of Valmont. She takes the young Isabelle under her wing, teaching her the ways of society, ultimately shaping her into the formidable Marquise de Merteuil. Kruger describes the series as a "coming of age, passing the baton to the next generation" narrative.

A Feminist and Modern Take on "Dangerous Liaisons"

Kruger admits initial hesitation about joining another adaptation of "Dangerous Liaisons," considering previous versions "pretty much perfect." However, she was drawn to the prequel aspect and, crucially, the "feminist point of view" and the "female gaze" through which the story is told. She believes this perspective offers a "modern and refreshing take of feminism and coming of age," highlighting women's efforts to free themselves from societal constraints imposed by men. The series also explores the development of "female solidarity," a concept often absent in historical portrayals that tend to depict women as "catty" and "harsh." Kruger views this as a "humbling look on history," emphasizing the importance of understanding origins to appreciate progress.

Challenges of 18th Century French Dialogue

A significant challenge for Kruger in "Meto" was the authentic 18th-century French dialogue. Having only tackled such language once before for "Marie Antoinette," she found the shoot demanding. The nature of television production, with its frequent daily rewrites, meant that after long days on set, she had to return home and relearn the complex language, which she found "very tiring."

Shifting Perspectives on World War II Projects

Kruger reveals that early in her career, she turned down roles involving the Second World War. However, this has changed as she has aged, become a mother, and observed the current global landscape. She feels a stronger desire to understand historical realities and make sense of the present. Her upcoming projects, "Amram" and "Each of Us," reflect this shift.

• "Each of Us": This film, set during a male-driven war, focuses on the "female reality" and the experiences of four women in a female-only work camp. Kruger was drawn to understanding what her grandmother might have endured.
• "Amram": In this film, Kruger plays a Hitler-hating farmer. The story, set on an island not destroyed by war, centers on a 12-year-old boy whose father is at war. His mother is a fervent believer in the Nazi regime. As the war ends, the boy begins to question his mother's beliefs and the ideology of that generation.

"Amram": Reflection on Morality and Neo-Nazism

When asked about the messages "Amram" might convey regarding the rise of neo-Nazism, Kruger emphasizes her role as an artist, not an educator. She describes the film as an "observation of a very particular time in our history," particularly her own history as a German. The film, she suggests, is a "small story" that highlights the importance of "thinking for yourself and deciding what is right and what is wrong for you." She believes the film aims to "spark a reflection" on individual morality rather than deliver explicit lessons.

Personal Challenges: Fear of Horses

Kruger openly discusses her fear of horses, a phobia that has led her to refuse roles requiring her to ride. She explains that growing up in the countryside, she was exposed to horses frequently but was thrown off too many times. While she doesn't say "never," she states it would take "a lot to convince" her to take on such a role.

German Production and Homeland Connection

Kruger expresses her enjoyment of working on German production sets, having done so only twice. She describes the experience, particularly with director Fatih Akin and his crew, as feeling like "coming home" and filled with "joy." Despite living outside Germany for many years, she feels an increasing connection to her homeland, especially as she gets older. This connection is exemplified by her desire for her American-born daughter to speak German, recognizing it as her "roots" that she wants to pass on.

"Little Disasters" and the Intensity of Motherhood

Kruger also discusses her role in the British TV series "Little Disasters," where she plays Jess, a woman accused of mistreating her child. The series, based on Sarah Vaughn's thriller, delves into themes of child abuse and postnatal depression. Kruger acknowledges the role was "very difficult," particularly as a mother. While she hasn't personally experienced postpartum depression, she has friends who have. She describes motherhood as "the best thing and the hardest thing" she has ever done, noting the associated stigmas, emotions, and opinions. The intensity of the role and its subject matter made the production "very hard" for her. She is proud of the show, considering it a "very realistic portrait of motherhood."

Future Professional Aspirations

Approaching her 50th birthday, Kruger expresses a desire for more life experiences, both personally and professionally. Professionally, she would love to star in a "real romance" film, akin to "An Unmarried Woman" or "Kramer vs. Kramer." She seeks adult romances that are neither pure rom-coms nor overly dramatic, but rather relatable stories that she feels are not made as frequently anymore.