Trophée Chopard Honoree Marie Colomb on Comedy, Cannes and Acting in English
CANNES, France — On the rooftop of the Hôtel Martinez, Marie Colomb is scrolling through photos of her bulldog — the same one she'd just been chatting about with Angelina Jolie moments before the Trophée Chopard dinner, which resulted in a charming onstage slip-up.
The French actress was this year's recipient of the annual prize, presented by Jolie, who was serving as the ceremony's 'godmother'—though Colomb accidentally, and endearingly, thanked her as 'dog mother,' to the delight of the room.
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'Just before she gave me the award, we talked about how being in the same field instantly creates a bond, so we talked about our dogs,' Colomb explained. Though she admits she was a little nervous before stepping onstage, Jolie's calming presence quickly put her at ease.
'It's in her way of being,' she said. 'I could see she was really grounded. She was incredibly kind and thoughtful. I think she's aware of being the star she is, and that's not always easy. She could sense we were nervous, but once you get past what she represents, there's just a human in front of you — simple and kind.'
The honor was a heightened moment for the 29-year-old, who has already had two films premiere at Cannes — 2021's 'The Magnetics' and 2022's 'The Beasts' — although this was her first time being recognized for her full body of work, including her TV series 'Follow' and 'Culte.'
'It felt a bit surreal,' she said. 'I think I'll really process it when I'm back home with my boyfriend and my dog.'
Colomb has earned acclaim for her emotionally rich dramatic roles, but she's currently leaning into comedy — a challenge she embraces.
'I really want to explore different genres. Comedy is incredibly hard. It's all about timing. If you're feeling stressed or not well, you can channel that into a dramatic role. But with comedy, you have to feel confident. Otherwise, it just doesn't land, and it shows.'
Ultimately, she picks projects rooted in humanity. 'I'm drawn to films that, maybe it's cliché to say, are full of love. Stories about people. Sometimes it's comedy, sometimes drama, but they make me want to live,' she said.
Raised in a small town in southwestern France, Colomb knew early on that acting was it for her. At just six years old, she penned a letter to her mother declaring her intention to be on stage and screen.
'It's cliché, but I fell in love with it then and never had a plan B,' she said.
Though she hasn't yet taken on an English-language project, she's also up for that challenge. 'I know I'm capable, it's just a mental block. But if someone offered me a role in English tomorrow, I'd be working on it nine hours a day,' she said.
She's also attuned to the shifts in the industry, particularly how global platforms have changed the game for independent films, which has been a hot topic at Cannes.
'There are many positives, but I don't yet have the hindsight to say how much. Still, even if we're not saving lives by making films, it does matter,' she remarked.
'In a world that's as complicated as ours, cinema can offer real comfort,' she added. 'It still influences how people are seen — minorities, different perspectives. It shapes the way we look at others.'
Colomb is also embracing the fashion world, particularly as luxury houses continue investing in cinema. She's been a front row guest at Balenciaga, Chloé and Rabanne during Paris Fashion Week, and her appreciation of fashion is growing.
'At first, it was a world that really impressed me. It wasn't mine. It seemed superficial. And yes, there's that side to it,' she said. 'But lately, I've become genuinely interested in the artistry and craftsmanship. Like anything, once you look closely, there's a lot to admire. And let's be honest, it's also a business. But I love that brands are increasingly supporting film.'
For the Trophée Chopard dinner, she wore a pink feathered Prada mini dress that she called an 'immediate, visual way to have fun.'
Her personal style IRL is simpler: a white T-shirt, a short Prada skirt, and anything 'comfortable…and a little bit rockstar.' It's her first formal relationship with a brand, and she's enjoying the freedom it gives her to play with identity.
'It's like we say in France — style, we don't take it too seriously, you know?' she said, joking about the myth of 'effortless' French girl style that actually takes a lot of work behind the scenes.
She's seen a shift in that aesthetic due to social media, plus the speeding up of the fashion cycle as entertainment.
'I do think fashion has taken up a lot more space recently,' she said. 'People see you first through what you wear — and it matters.'
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