Sara Forestier makes her big return to cinema. After several years of absence, she returns under the lens of Emmanuel Mouret in the film Trois amies, alongside Camille Cottin and India Hair. This Monday, November 4, the French actress came to talk about this project and the challenges that kept her away from the sets on the show Quotidien. Behind her radiant smile and luminous appearance, cracks remain. She shares the dark moments that led her to take a necessary break to find herself.
A Spectacular Start and Rapid Recognition
Born on October 4, 1986, in Copenhagen, Sara Forestier made her mark in France in 2004 thanks to her portrayal of Lydia in L’Esquive by Abdellatif Kechiche. This role of a young girl from the working-class neighborhoods earned her the César for Most Promising Actress. At only 18, she was acclaimed by critics and the public, establishing herself as a rising star with sharp and uncompromising talent. Memorable roles followed: in Hell, an adaptation of Lolita Pille’s novel, she played a young heiress struggling with her demons, confirming her talent for characters with intense psychology. In 2011, her performance in Le Nom des gens by Michel Leclerc brought her a second César, this time for Best Actress. She is now an essential face of French cinema.
A Personal Injury and Intimate Dramas
In 2020, while promoting Filles de joie, Sara Forestier revealed she had been a victim of domestic violence. This film, dealing with violence against women, resonated particularly with her personal story. She confided that, while reading the script, she painfully recognized her own life. “I was reading this character and I recognized my own story,” she explained, moved, on C à vous on France 5. This significant experience left deep scars in her, and she gradually distanced herself from cinema to heal her wounds.
The final blow came in 2017, on the set of Bonhomme, when she faced an altercation with Nicolas Duvauchelle. She claims that the actor slapped her during a scene. A rumor circulated that it was she who slapped him before leaving the set, but she firmly denies this version. Shaken by this incident, she made the radical decision to withdraw from the sets for an indefinite period. “I continued to shoot pretending everything was fine, but it wasn’t at all,” she confided, her voice trembling, mentioning sleepless nights and dark thoughts that overwhelmed her.
Rebuilding to Come Back Stronger
Away from the spotlight, Sara Forestier embarked on a deep introspection. “Trauma involves things: not sleeping, considering the unthinkable,” she confided. She also described the stigma faced by women victims of violence: “We like to say that damaged women are crazy. But they are not, they are just marked.” This three-year break gave her the time to find some inner peace and prepare for a more serene return.
She wishes to return surrounded by kindness. This new project, Trois amies, directed by Emmanuel Mouret, is a bittersweet comedy exploring friendship and the subtle bonds between three women. In this soothing setting, she rediscovers the joy of acting, surrounded by her partners Camille Cottin and India Hair. “I really waited to find a project with kind people. And I was so right to wait,” she expresses with palpable emotion.
A Career Rich in Nuances
At 38, Sara Forestier has already left a deep mark on French cinema. Besides L’Esquive and Le Nom des gens, she plays powerful roles in Suzanne by Katell Quillévéré and La Tête haute by Emmanuelle Bercot. In 2017, she also ventured into directing with M, a film she wrote, directed, and starred in, revealing her desire to fully control her artistic vision.
Also known for her strong stances, she supported Adèle Haenel during the César Awards controversy in 2020, denouncing the shortcomings of an industry she believes is still too reluctant to protect women. Her commitment goes beyond the artistic realm, reaffirming her attachment to respect and listening. Today, Sara Forestier seems to find a place where she can combine her passion for cinema with a certain serenity.
Trois amies: A Return Marked by Solidarity
In Trois amies, Sara Forestier plays one of the three friends, navigating between love and friendship, their lives intertwining in a nuanced narrative. This project marks a new chapter for the actress, who now aspires to evolve in a climate of mutual respect. More than just a comeback, this return signifies a rebirth. For her, cinema is a field of expression where she continues to explore her own flaws and those of the characters she portrays. Her quest for truth, imbued with resilience, touches an audience increasingly attentive to her sincerity.
For French cinema, having Sara Forestier back is an invaluable opportunity. As for the actress, she returns transformed, but with the singular intensity that makes her one of the standout figures of her era’s cinema.