French acress Juliette Binoche

From April the 3rd to the fifth, the contemporary dance show "In-i" was
staged at the Mei Lanfang Grand Theater in Beijing. Leading the cast was
Juliette Binoche, the renowned French actress. On Thursday the actress will
again be in the spotlight in Beijing, as one of her movies opens the 2009 French
Film Festival in the city.

Juliette Binoche

At the age of 45, Juliette Binoche shows admirable courage by trying her hand
at modern dance. In the show blending drama, contemporary dance, and video, she
joined British dancer Akram Khan for the interpretation of a story about love
and forgiveness.

Binoche was born in Paris in 1964, the daughter of a sculptor and an actress.
Her parents divorced when she was four and Binoche and her sister Marion were
sent to a boarding school.

Juliette Binoche

In 1985, Binoche secured the lead role in André Téchiné's "Rendez-vous." The
film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year, winning Best Director.

In 1986, Binoche was nominated for her first César Award for Best Actress for
"Rendez-vous." The win catapulted her to international fame.

Later in the year, she portrayed Tereza in Philip Kaufman's "The Unbearable
Lightness of Being" based on the Milan Kundera novel. This was Binoche's first
English language role and was a worldwide success with critics and audiences
alike.

Juliette Binoche

Several years later, two big name directors extended offers to the rising
star. Finally she chose a lead role in Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Blue" over Steven
Spielberg's "Jurassic Park."

In 1993, Binoche appeared in Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors: Blue" to
much critical acclaim. "Blue" is the story of Julie, who loses her husband, an
acclaimed composer and her young daughter in a car accident. The film's theme of
liberty is manifested in Julie's attempt to start life anew, free of personal
commitments, belongings grief and love.

She attempts to commit spiritual suicide by withdrawing from the world and
living completely independently, anonymously and in solitude in Paris. The film
premiered at the

1993 Venice Film Festival, where is landed Binoche a best actress prize. She
also won a César Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe nomination for her
portrayal of Julie.

Binoche has haunting eyes. With a sombre demeanour, she rarely laughs. She is
widely recognized for her elegance and air of mystery. All of her movies are
stories about love.

Soon came the production "The English Patient," which was based on the
acclaimed novel by Michael Ondaatje and directed by Anthony Minghella. The film
was a worldwide hit.

Juliette Binoche

It received nine Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for
Binoche.

In 2001, she was nominated as best actress for her role in "Chocolat."

2007 was one of Binoche's busiest years. The Cannes Film Festival saw the
premiere of "Le Voyage du Ballon Rouge" by Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-Hsien. The
film features a striking performance by Binoche, and was well received by
international critics. It went on to debut around the world in early 2008.

At the French Film Festival in Beijing, Binoche's movie "Paris, I Love You"
was screened. The story is about Binoche's character's brother who is waiting
for a heart transplant.

Binoche's personal life is not so smooth by conventional standards. In 1986,
she fell in love with a young director. But the relationship didn't work out.
They parted ways in 1991.

Then Binoche lived with a diver for three years. In 1995, she became
emotionally involved with actor Olivier Martinez while shooting the movie "The
Horseman on the Roof." But the relationship again failed.

Binoche lives in the suburbs of Paris with her children.