French actress Juliette Binoche has spoken candidly about her recent experiences navigating political controversies, creative challenges, and her evolving roles within the film industry, including her debut as a director. The discussions come amid the release of two new films featuring Binoche: the drama "Queen at Sea" and the documentary "In-In Motion."

In May, Binoche was among approximately 600 signatories, including actors Adèle Haenel and Swann Arlaud, who published an open letter opposing the expanding influence of French industrialist Vincent Bolloré within the national cinema landscape. Bolloré’s media empire, particularly the Canal+ television network, wields significant economic power in France. Following the protest, Canal+ chief executive Maxime Saada reportedly vowed that the company would no longer collaborate with artists involved in the letter, an action widely described as a "blacklist." Binoche called Bolloré “Mr. Bolloré” and expressed concern about the implications for artistic freedom, referencing the controversial editorial stance of Bolloré-owned channel CNews, which has aired content accused of racist views. She emphasized the importance of freedom of expression for artists in France amid rising political tensions, particularly cautioning against the increasing influence of the far-right party Rassemblement National and its perceived restrictive attitude towards art.

Despite these challenges, Binoche remained active professionally, filming in Paris during the city’s hottest summer on record. She described environmental concerns alongside political ones, recalling a 2018 open letter she organised with over 200 artists and scientists calling for urgent government action on climate change. “Maybe now the burning forests might make us more humble,” she remarked.

"Queen at Sea," set in London, stars Binoche as Amanda, a mother and daughter who confronts a morally complex family situation involving her mother’s care and dementia. Early in the film, Amanda discovers her stepfather engaging in sexual activity with her mother, whose Alzheimer’s disease raises questions about consent. The characters of the elderly couple are portrayed by Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall. The film explores the difficult ethical terrain faced by the family and authorities, a narrative Binoche connected with personally due to her own experiences caring for her ailing father, sculptor and actor Jean-Marie Binoche, who died in 2019. She described the "sandwich generation" pressure of caring for aging parents while raising children as without formal guidance or precedent.

Directed by American filmmaker Lance Hammer, "Queen at Sea" was threatened by financial difficulties during production, leading Binoche to take on a producing role to help secure funding. Hammer praised her as “the best actress on the planet,” noting her tenacity and artistic passion were vital to completing the film. Binoche revealed that on set she typically requests to perform the first three takes of a scene her way, reflecting her longtime practice of self-direction as an actor. Hammer confirmed that her takes were often the most truthful and integral to the film’s final form.

Binoche also discussed "In-In Motion," her directorial debut, a documentary capturing her 2008 stage collaboration with British dancer Akram Khan. The film combines a kinetic meditation on relationships with an intimate portrayal of the often chaotic creative process, featuring raw rehearsal footage and moments of vulnerability. Binoche spent over fifteen years assembling and editing the material, aiming to portray the artistic journey’s blend of joy and struggle. She highlighted the value of fearlessness in creation and the benefits of working with a candid acting coach, Susan Batson, whose methods contrast with the often rushed and pressured environment brought by directors on set.

While Binoche acknowledges criticism for her political activism, she remains committed to engaging publicly on issues she finds pressing. Looking ahead, she expressed interest in directing more dramatic works and shared that she recently directed a short film scene featuring actor Ralph Fiennes, describing the experience as both challenging and enjoyable.

Both "Queen at Sea" and "In-In Motion" are scheduled to open in UK cinemas from September 18.