Marion Cotillard on Brad, PH trip

Brad Pitt (left) and Marion Cotillard in “Allied”

Los Angeles—“He’s such an open-minded person, kind, down-to-earth and very generous,” Marion Cotillard gushed about her “Allied” costar, Brad Pitt. Wearing a blue and white striped Sakai dress and Gianvito Rossi shoes, the French actress is one of the most beautiful pregnant women I have seen.

Marion, blooming in our interview at the Four Seasons Hotel, is expecting her second child with boyfriend, actor-director Guillaume Canet. The couple, in a relationship since 2007, has a 5-year-old son, Marcel.

In Robert Zemeckis’ “Allied,” a World War II espionage love drama, Marion and Brad play characters reportedly based on a true story about two assassins who fall in love during a mission to kill a German official.

It was on the set of “Allied” that rumors of an affair between Marion and Brad began. When news of Brad and Angelina Jolie’s split broke out, the rumored romance between the actor and Marion was cited as the cause.

Marion spoke up in her Instagram page and wrote, “This is going to be my first and only reaction to the whirlwind news that broke 24 hours ago and that I was swept up into. I am not used to commenting on things like this nor taking them seriously, but as this situation is spiraling and affecting people I love, I have to speak up. Firstly, many years ago, I met the man of my life, father of our son and of the baby we are expecting. He is my love, my best friend, the only one that I need.”

With her radiant face and hair elegantly pulled back into a braid, the Oscar and Golden Globe winner for “La Vie En Rose” also talked about her two-day trip to the Philippines last year.

She came with French president Francois Hollande and fellow actress Melanie Laurent to promote the fight against climate change.

Excerpts from our chat:

You had a great partner, Brad Pitt, to work with in this film. Was it easy to fall in love with his character? Brad is an amazing partner and actor. I’ve always been impressed by his work.

How complicated was it to film the sex scenes with Brad in the back of a car and during a sandstorm? It’s never easy to do those kinds of scenes. But the director makes those days of shooting special. Bob Zemeckis is one of the most wonderful, respectful and talented directors I have worked with.

We rehearsed and created this choreography so you feel comfortable. Then, you can let it go and be free to act when it comes to actually shooting the scene.

Your Marianne character fell in love with Brad’s Max in 1942 Casablanca. Did you think of “Casablanca” when you were shooting this movie? (Laughs) I didn’t think about the movie, because it’s such an iconic film.

Can you talk some more about working with Brad? When I met him, we started to work right away with Graham King, the producer, Bob Zemeckis and Steve Knight (writer). We had 15 days of preparation before we started shooting.

How much do you enjoy rehearsal time? I love rehearsal time because actors sometimes have totally different ways of working. [It] was amazing to feel how much Brad was involved in this project and the way he worked so hard to get this language (French-Canadian), which is super difficult for an American.

I was very impressed by his determination and commitment. What I also appreciate is he’s such a good man besides being an amazing actor.

He proved it many times—he’s open-minded, kind, down-to-earth and very generous.

Did you help Brad with his French? I know that Brad loves the French language. I think his whole family knows how to speak French. He was very committed to get it right.

Honestly, he did a pretty good job because not only was he supposed to speak French, but he was supposed to speak with a French-Canadian accent, which is even more difficult.

You have a son and now, you’re expecting a second child. How has motherhood changed you? Motherhood made me evolve more than change. Being a mother and an actress, you have to find a balance in your life, because being an actor is exploring personalities.

And the projects I choose are very far from who I am, because I’m interested in exploring the unknown.

Before becoming a mom, I didn’t care and I was aware of it, so I didn’t go crazy.

Today, at the end of the day, I have to be myself entirely, because my kid feels everything. He hates coming to the set because he feels that there’s something totally different—my hair and look.

I love being an actress. [Now,] I might work less… than last year when I worked a lot.

How has your relationship with your boyfriend Guillaume Canet evolved over the years? We’re very happy. Life is a wonderful ride. When you share your life with someone and you get to evolve with him, you get to be a better person. This person inspires you to discover more of yourself and more of others.

It’s one of the most amazing, beautiful and wonderful experiences as a human being to stand by someone you love and with honesty, respect and awareness.

Can you share your memories of your trip to the Philippines with French president Francois Hollande as part of a drive for global action against climate change? I understand that it was a short trip, but it was special because you are close to your nanny, Elma, who’s from the Philippines. I didn’t come with her, but she was in my heart the whole way, of course.

The whole world is responsible for what’s happening in that part of the world (she visited Eastern Samar, which was also hit hard by Typhoon Haiyan, or Supertyphoon Yolanda). I wanted to be there, because I feel responsible as a European.

That was a short trip, but I learned a lot about the people of the Philippines. They don’t see themselves as victims. They’re fighters and survivors.

The resilience they have is really inspiring, especially when they are victims of a world that doesn’t think everything is connected. I was very happy to show my support and concern and to share how responsible some people feel about the situation there.

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