Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson. (Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com)
At the North American premiere of uniFrance Films’s Farewell, My Queen, aptly held at the Museum of Modern Art, and presented by Peggy Siegal Company on Monday night, Joshua Jackson did his very best to let Diane Kruger, the star of the film and his girlfriend since 2006, have the spotlight. But we couldn’t help but wonder what was next for the Fringe actor. Perhaps a Dawson’s Creek reunion?
“We killed Michelle, so I don’t think that’s ever going to happen,” Mr. Jackson said candidly, referring to the death of cast mate Michelle Williams’s character on the show. Onlookers were crestfallen.
“But I would never say never. If I’m out of work for enough years, absolutely! I would be old, gray, and nasty by the time that would get done though,” he said.
With that important business out of the way, we asked the German-born actress what it was like to play infamous French queen, Marie Antoinette.
“I did things in this film I didn’t think I was capable of doing because it’s so far from who I am,” Ms. Kruger told us. “I have such a calm and controlled personal life, I never really lose it to the extent that she did. I felt proud to have allowed myself to go there.”
Ms. Kruger wore a floor-length silver gown and minimal accessories (we guess she left the French crown jewels at home).
The period film, based on Chantal Thomas’s best-selling novel of the same name, tells the story of four days in the life of the ill-fated queen through the eyes of her servant and reader Léa Seydoux, played by Sidonie Laborde.
Despite the film’s 18th century French dialogue, it was English that was difficult to understand throughout the evening, as evidenced by our conversation with the director of the film, Benoit Jacquot.
When we asked how he anticipated Americans would receive his film (the royal drama was released in France earlier this year), Mr. Jacquot’s translator made quick work of the question.
“It’s very interesting to think about because I really have no idea,” said Mr. Jacquot replied with a genuine look of uncertainty in his eyes. “I would like very much for them to love it.”
Mr. Jacquot showered Ms. Kruger with compliments in his heavy French accent and discussed the “expensive” opportunity to film in Versailles.
Indeed. The palace that the royal family called home looked just as picturesque in the film as the attendees made it out to be, and in moments when the subtitles were alas, too subtle, we still felt lucky to have a nice view.
Recent Tony Award recipient Nina Arianda was one of many to note the lush interiors and green grounds.
“The chambers where the maids lived is such a beautiful place,” said a laughing Ms. Arianda. “It’s much nicer than my apartment.”
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