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Radio "The Voice of Russia" and HELENEUM website presents :
Exclusive Interview with Rochelle Redfield by radio "The Voice of Russia" (october 2005)
Do you know that you are very popular in Russia?
Well, I do now. I have some Russian friends here in Paris and they told me that show was in Russia and it had success. That’s all I know.

Rochelle, can we ask you the personal question, about your place of birth? The place of birth is not Dallas isn’t it? Is it Harrisburg County?
Actually I was born in Dallas. I was raised in Houston which is in Harris County.

What is the story with the scandal in lyceum, when you were refused to get into the mechanic faculty?
Well, that’s funny, because now it does not make any difference whatsoever. At that time girls were not allowed to do auto mechanics and I thought it is important and I really liked old cars. I had an old car and I wanted to do that. Because the choice for that option was either mechanics or typing. At school It was said that girls needed to know typing to be a secretaries. I said, no I want to learn how to fix my car. Anyway today everybody types with computers and you can’t fix your cars, they are modern, I can take an old car apart to put it back together. For the new cars you can not, because they are electronics. So, it does not make any difference any more.  

Apart from you favorite Cadillac 1961 year, do you have another car? What car are you using now?
Besides my Cadillac which was beautiful 1961 Cadillac and one of the loves of my life. It was white with pink interior, and bought that Cadillac from an Elvis Presley impersonator. Besides that car I had a 1963 Ford Fairlane, two doors, red and white. And now I have a Chrysler family car, with place for everybody.

In your childhood what kind of book did you read? And now? Do you read magazines for women?
Well, when I was a kid, I used to love to read, I loved books of JRR Tolkien, who wrote THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS, I read those books every summer, I also read books by CS Lewis, everything I could find about King Arthur and "Knights of the round table". Also books about adventure, I read my brother’s marvel comic books. I loved "Spiderman  and "X men", "Captain America". Actually when I take a plane the magazines I buy, I read women magazine, of course everybody does it. And what I really like to read are men’s magazines, like "Esquire", coz there are more things to read in them.

You were born in Texas Lone Star State that has distinctive character; all Texans are famous for their patriotism. You came to Paris when you were teenager; I know how Henry Miller or Ernest Hemingway turned out to be in Paris. And how did this legendary city become your second home, once you came to Paris and have been staying forever.
Well I came to Paris as a fashion model. I was working with "Elite  agency here. And four times in a year I used to come to Paris for the fashion shows. For the Prêt-a-Porter and Haute couture in that context. And of course I was a great fan of American expatriates of the period of Henry Miller, Ernest Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald it was really romantic. So I looked up all places where they used to be. And I thought it was very exotic and romantic. And the last time I met here a French man and have been here ever since.

Julie Delpy French actress had chosen another way, she said: I am getting bored with the Old World. The most Americans have wrong notion about France. I understood if I stayed in France longer, then I would have lost my personality and forget about actress carrier. And I went to America. Now I am happy here and want to be forever. What about you, don’t you get bored from Europe? Is it difficult to find common issues between country of rancho and country of rodeo, center of space programs and oil industry America and city of love, everlasting holidays, city of museums and graceful city of the World Paris?  
I think that Julie Delpy is right. I understand her point of view entirely, I really do. I think it is very hard keeping your personality I think you have to be stubborn and have to look for projects and it is not that easy. It is not a city of everlasting holiday when you actually live here. That’s probably true in every city. I do sometimes get tired of Europe. And I would like to get back to America and am planning to next year … and I would like to be able to go back and forth.  


Rochelle, when you came to America, did you feel yourself as a French woman? And following this question who’re your children? Americans or French? 
No, I do not feel French; I do not feel typical American either. And I don’t think I ever did. I think I am Texan, no I am kidding. I do not feel like French when I go back to America. My children yes, they are more French than American, but they are not typically French either. They have an American mother, they do not have the typical French mentality either.      

What do you think, what is the essential in the upbringing the children?
I would think that communication is extremely important, affection is extremely important, discipline is important too. And I think humor is one of the most important things.

Did you always want to be an actress?
Since I was probably 12 years old, I would say.

Whom do you consider to be your teachers? Where did you study?
Well, I was very lucky when I was in high school I had a fantastic teacher. His name was Bill Young. He was a fantastic high school drama teacher, I realized this more and more as I get older and work more. I understand he was fantastic teacher. I had the chance too since 15-16 year now I work regularly with John Strasberg, he is the son of the legendary Lee Strasberg,of the actors studio. And He is, I guess, my mentor. I really like working with him, and work with him as much as I possibly can. I did an intensive master class with him was in July in New York. And of course I read everything from Stanislavski that is the direction that the best American actors go in.
How did you come to "AB Production"? Did you face difficulties with French language?
They were doing a casting and I went. The role was not for an American originally. The first episode was full of really long complicated text in French; yes I did have real difficulties in the beginning I used to come home at 11 o’clock at night. They finished very very late. I could not speak another word in French. There was a time when I could not speak in French anymore. It was difficult, because written French in texts, it is not the way people talk especially in the beginning. Afterwards they changed, and it became common French when People sit and talk together.         

Do you evaluate the role of Johanna as the main role in your acting carrier?  What do you think about the character of Johanna? Do you look like Johanna, or she looks like you?
I do not feel that Johanna is the main role in my carrier; she is definitely the longest role in my carrier. I would not say that it means more to me than the others. Well and do I look like her?  Obviously I do a little bit. I think in the beginning I looked like her and towards the end she started to look a little bit like me. It is a fuzzy world, when you are working on a character, it’s very difficult to say who is who and where the character starts and where you start. It is a very difficult line to draw.

I think we have rare chance. Group of actors who performs together (there were time break) from beginning 90-s. Apart from performing together, you kept good relationship with each other, help each other. How do you do that? Who do you like the most?
We know each other for so long. We have been very lucky. And at the end we feel like we are going on vacation, because what you see are only the actors together, but we are a whole group of technicians, cameraman, soundman, assistants and directors. And it has been a fantastic experience, because we get along together. Even though we had very difficult conditions. I do not think it exists anywhere else where we did so much in one day in such a fantastic atmosphere. We get together regularly, we see each other regularly, not everybody, but most of us. I see Laure Guibert, I see Laly Meignan, Ludovic, Philippe Vasseur and Patrick. We have news from each other. We get along very well. It is true we were very lucky.

We know that Jean-Luc Azoulay is a great fabulist. Nobody expected such turn out in "Saint Martin". I mean affair between Jose (Philippe Vasseur’s performance) and Johanna. Does this idea belong to Azoulay or artist’s suggestion?
I think it was only his idea. But we were happy with that, because I like Philippe very much. He is a fantastic guy, very good actor. I was thrilled to have more scenes with Philippe. It was good thing, I enjoyed it very much.

What is your dream? What kind of character would you like to play?
My training is very much based on theater and there are so many beautiful characters in the theater I would love to do some women From Ibsen, Chekhov, Shakespeare there are a lots of types. I would like to do variety things.

You are amazing actress. The roles you have been playing are so different. From Johanna till Sylvia Deschamps, they can be unbridled and romantic, funny and sexy. And sometimes you combine all characters in one. I think that is really hard. How do you work on your role? How do you accustomed to the role? Or what helps you; experience, director, emotions or intuition?    
I think that experience is a very important factor and especially imagination. The clue is "IF". You just have to say if this is really happening to me what would I d
о? Well John Strasberg’s method, his way of teaching is to imagine the characters world. What he or she is experiencing and it comes to you if you have a good imagination - that is really important. And for intuition I do not know. And it is funny to talk about Sylvia Deschamps, she is like a nuclear physicist, I had no idea what I was talking about no clues, so in that case all I had to chose was to get through, keep a straight face and I was not very good in that subject in school. That was pretty funny.

What kind of character would you like the most; positive or negative?
If someone is only positive it is not interesting, and if someone is only negative it is not interesting either. I would love to have a good mixture of both.

What are the criterions that you use to chose or reject the project? Are you curious? Do you like trial trips?
I like challenges. I have to say honestly I do not reject many things. I am pretty much game for whatever comes along, because I love to work so I do not reject much.

Once russian actress Natalya Andrejchenko told me the following story. She was offered a role in a "Babylon 5", popular serial. Having said she couldn’t play bald-headed monster with green ears, she refused. "My parents, children and fans will see me. I can’t show me in such ghastly sight. American or European actor is always ready for any role. We have another situation". Is she right?  Do you take into account the opinion of your relatives and friends, before accepting the offer to play spaceman? Or such refusals are not allowed in your profession?
Of course they are allowed I grew up on Star trek. If somebody said you are going to come and play a Vulcan and have pointy ears and do the Vulcan sign; "live long and prosper  how can I refuse that. How cool that could be. We grew up with this sort of thing and it is not about being pretty, ugly, being old or pointy ears, or green. I think that of course if you’re proposed the role,  and it means 6 hours of hair make up every morning and getting up at 3 o’clock in the morning that would be a good reason to refuse.

Once Nikita Mikhalkov, well-famous Russian director, said that producing a movie is an extinct profession. Do you agree with him? Do you see in European, Asian or American cinema any director whose works are up-to-date interesting, sudden; work that can really amaze us (it is very difficult to surprise nowadays, isn’t it?)
I think it is very difficult to surprise if you are using special effects I think that a good story is very effective and I think a good movie must have a good story and of course you can not surprise with explosions, or monsters or that sort of thing. No it is all about the story. I think that producing a movie is an incredible profession. You have to be extremely patient and courageous.

Have you seen any Russian film? What is your opinion about the image of Russian movie in Europe?
I am very sad to say that I do not hear much about Russian film here in Europe and that is a pity because Russian actors are amazing, and because that is where it all started from, the whole idea of modern acting came from your country.

Hypothetical question. If you were the president of the big festival, whom would you award with the prize for the great contribution in the world culture?
The first thing that comes to my mind is the rock band "U2  I think that they are amazing and have had an amazing impact, what they put across is extremely important. If we are talking about film makers it is hard to say. There are so many really good filmmakers. There is not one I can say is my favorite. Sometimes you see films and you like them, and the next one disappoints you when it comes out. For an actor I would have to say Tom Hanks, because he is always incredible and the amazing things he does an ordinary man in extraordinary situations, bring out the hero in ordinary man I think it is very important.
You are not only the actress, you are keen on painting. Did you have personal exhibition?
I am working on it. I have got the subject that has come up. I have few things are going on.  Probably late spring. Sometimes I can not paint, I feel guilty, because I am having so much fun.

Is it true, that your paintings were used while making decoration in "Saint Martin"?
You know for the girl’s house where we lived, we had that huge wall, they were white and we had no budget to decorate and I just painted couple of things.

Rochelle when would we the chance to listen your disc? When it gets released, what would be the style of your music?
When I have enough money to finish it. I have to say that it is all in English, everything that I’ve written and composed. And it is not like anything that is commercial in France; you know I do live in France. It is very personal and intimate. Well, it’s also rock and roll. As soon as I get the money to finish it up. Because it is self produced. I want to do it that way because you do not have to answer to anyone. It is very hard because everybody has an opinion and can say it will not go on the radio, this would work better. You must do it in French. I do not know when it will come out. I think, first I will do some clubs and that is about it, I wish I could tell you, but I can not do that.

We know that you wrote the book for children. Would you please tell us about it?
Well, actually it is illustrated book. The writing is very simple. Very richly illustrated. It is very simple book, it is an alphabet. The subject is simple, the drawings are not simple. It is in French and in English. I am very excited about it, coz it is a lot of fun. I have tested it on my kids, on my friend’s kids. It should be coming out pretty soon. I am negotiating with a big publishing house here. I have been working on it for a long time. And I am pretty proud of it.

In "One against another?  - L' Un contre l'autre - serial your personage Gin could make only hamburger. As far as we know, in ordinary life, it is absolutely wrong. You cook very well. What cuisines do you like - French, Texans or Mexican? If you don’t mind, would you please share with us with your favorite recipe?
Well, I have to say that it is very difficult to make a good hamburger. Good hamburgers are actually quite good. I like all kind of food. Unfortunately, I like pretty much everything. I like French food, Chinese food; Polynesian food. I like everything, which is a big problem with me. What I am doing now that is a big hit at Dinner parties is something I picked up in French Guyane. Just pick green mango and slice them up put some lemon on them, some peppers, some chili, salt. It is just a salad and it is fantastic and is a big hit, because it is very surprising. It is like salty salade dish, it is just really delicious.

Could you imagine yourself living in other country, aside from France and America?
Sure, I wish there were enough time or years to live. I would love to live in tons of countries. I would love to live in Scotland; I would love to live in Kenya. There are so many fantastic and exciting places to live. About Russia, I know there are a lot of gorgeous places to live. I think the most difficult would be to learn the language. Why not? Who knows?

We are russian radio station; therefore we would like to know your opinion about Russia? Have you ever been to our country? Are you familiar with Russian history, culture and fine arts?
I was very very lucky that I had a trip to Russia in early 80-s with a fashion magazine. We spent time, we were in Moscow, and we went to Samarkand, Tashkent, and Irkutsk and on the way to Irkutsk, Omsk. We were in Russian three and a half weeks and that was an amazing experience. I remember on the way to Irkutsk driving through the forest, it was so gorgeous in the middle of September. After that I’ve got an impression how big the country is. It was fascinating experience and I really regret that it was at that time and we were not allowed to speak with people, we had to stay in our groups and we could not go out and walk around by ourselves and I regret it. I would love to go back; you know we could do that. Because we are open, we could say.  I was very much impressed with architecture, with the people who were working with us. Russians were very beautiful people. I know what western people know about Russian theater. Chekhov I love, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. I know a little bit about your culture, your history. Your fine art is fascinating. For us, for Americans it is mysterious isn’t it?  We were closed from each other for so long. I would like to know more.

Do you believe in horoscopes? If yes, then what do you think you are cancer or more leo?
You know what I do. When I look at horoscope, I just read the one, which one is better. I am not a big believer of horoscopes.

What do you think what kind of woman you are?
Probably stubborn.

Do you like sport? What kind of type of sport do you go in for? Are fan of any sport team. If yes, which?
I am a big fan of rugby. I love to watch rugby. We were watching rugby earlier today. I  love that sport, because it is amazing. I love to watch the French rugby team, because they are fantastic. I like to watch basketball.

Do you like soccer?
Not really. I watch the World Cap. I am not soccer fan, I am rugby fan.

Which perfume do you like?
I love Chan
el #5. I always have and always will.

Why don’t you have personal website? Do you want to have it?
I do not know, this is sort of strange thing. It is very interesting. I should probably. I will look into it.

Do you know that Russia and Texas have common issues? Flag of state is three color: blue-white-red. The same colors are used in Russian flag. The Texas State Flower is bluebonnet, which is typically Russian flower. The name of state is originated from Indian word "tejas  which means friend. So the motto of the state is Friendship. We worship this word, and we deem about you highly. What would you like to say to your Russian audience? 
Except of "spasibo" and I hope we can see more each other that would be lovely.


Do you know that, the year of Russia is in Houston nowadays. The delegation of Houston was in Moscow. It is the second time in this year (recently in October) the delegation of Moscow, headed by First Deputy Mayor of Moscow Lyudmila Shvetsova. So there are so many cultural, educational, business and diplomatic programs between Moscow and Houston. It is being planned for the next year. Do you agree with us, that our interview contributes to that cultural program? And what about next year?
Yes I think it is. I did not know about it, it is really interesting. I suppose it does.
shotgun questions
Renault or Chevrolet?
Whisky or Cognac?
Tea or Coffee?
Croissant or Stake?
Cat or dog?
Skirt or trousers?
Morning or evening?
Ernest Hemingway or Honore de Balzac?
Jacques Brel or Ella Fitzgerald?
Quentin Tarantino or Claude Lelouch?
Don Quixote or Don Juan?
Cactus or chamomile?
Chevrolet
Cognac
Tea
Stake
Cat
Trousers
Evening
Ernest Hemingway
Ella Fitzgerald
Quentin Tarantino
Don Quixote
Cactus
audio samples
clip type - RealAudio
clip time -
00:10
language - Russian
file size -
85K (zip)
password : www.chez.com/heleneum
download
clip type - RealAudio
clip time -
00:55
language - English
file size - 450K (zip)
password : www.chez.com/heleneum
download
Greetings by Rochelle
Rochelle about Johanna
(c) 2005, ArIs STUDIO. Moscou, Russie.
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