elc team
The 66th Thessaloniki International Film Festival explores the countless facets of a unique cinematic talent, welcoming Isabelle Huppert – one of the brightest, boldest, and most acclaimed stars of world cinema and theatre. Together with Huppert, the Festival has selected 15 films that capture her extraordinary ability to transform herself from within for each role, while always maintaining her distinctive artistic identity. The films span different eras and countries, signed by some of the most beloved filmmakers.
Isabelle Huppert will be in Thessaloniki for four days, during which she will take part in a series of events, screenings, and discussions.
Specifically:
On Tuesday, November 4, she will give a major masterclass open to the public, titled “From Stage to Screen,” focusing on the differences in performance between cinema and theatre. The conversation will be moderated by acclaimed author Ersi Sotiropoulos.
At the same time, the renowned actress will introduce several films from the tribute and will present the witty comedy Copacabana (2010) by Marc Fitoussi, alongside her daughter Lolita Chammah, with whom she co-stars in the film.
During her stay at the Festival, Huppert will also give a press conference for accredited Greek and international journalists.
Moreover, she has expressed a wish to visit historical monuments of Thessaloniki, and the Festival will organize a special guided tour for her – as well as introduce her to the city’s fascinating culinary traditions.
Throughout a dazzling career filled with triumphs and accolades, Isabelle Huppert has been nominated 16 times for the César Awards, holding the all-time record in the history of the institution. She has won twice, for her performances in Claude Chabrol’s La Cérémonie (1995) and Paul Verhoeven’s Elle (2016). For Elle, she also received a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Her name figures among the rare elite of actors honored at the three major international film festivals: in Cannes (Violette Nozière, 1978, and The Piano Teacher, 2001), in Venice (Story of Women, 1988, and La Cérémonie, 1995), and in Berlin (8 Women, 2002, as part of the ensemble cast). Her list of distinctions is seemingly endless, including three European Film Awards, BAFTA, Lumières, and David di Donatello awards, as well as countless honors from film festivals around the world. On stage, she has received the Honorary Molière Award for her contribution to theatre and holds a record nine nominations – the most ever for a female performer.
From the very beginning, Huppert has defied boundaries and labels. Tireless, with over 120 films to her name, she has built a strikingly international career, collaborating with visionary filmmakers such as Michael Haneke, Claude Chabrol, Bertrand Tavernier, Benoît Jacquot, Jean-Luc Godard, Claire Denis, André Téchiné, Claude Sautet, François Ozon, Olivier Assayas, the Taviani Brothers, Andrzej Wajda, Marco Bellocchio, Paul Verhoeven, Marco Ferreri, David O. Russell, Hal Hartley, and Hong Sang-soo.
Gifted with the rare ability to express a vast spectrum of emotions and states of mind with effortless authenticity, Isabelle Huppert can carry the audience to uncharted emotional territories – or dismantle all certainty. Throughout her career, she has excelled across genres: from thriller and drama to comedy, romance, and satire. Fearless in her role choices, she has embodied unforgettable heroines who break free from the confines of morality and predictability, leaving behind a cinematic legacy of immeasurable depth and influence.
