Catherine Marchal : Lucid
Distant in appearance, Catherine Marchal is, on a daily basis, fantasy, joie de vivre and sensitivity incarnate. Far from the classic stereotypes of French movie business, she follows her path according to her desires and assumes her choices by cultivating humor and sincerity. She likes challenges and has a fair look at things. Passionate about theater and cinema since her childhood, she has known over the years how to find her place in the film industry. Alternately actress, director or producer, Catherine is naturally interested in all that concerns image and photography. She likes to immortalize, according to her inspiration, moments of life, thus freezing forever what is ultimately ephemeral.
Since 2020, she has been starring in “Ici tout commence”, a successful series broadcasted on TF1, and has had to travel back and forth between Paris and the provinces, so it was on her way back to work, in the train, that she answered our questionnaire.
Instagram : catherinemarchal_off
Your first photographic trigger?
Catherine Marchal: The faces of my children when they were babies.
The man of images who inspires you?
Catherine Marchal: JR for his intrusions in our daily life. If you don’t go to the photo the photo will come to you.
The image you would have liked to make?
Catherine Marchal: Bradley Cooper’s first selfie at the 2014 Oscars.
The one that moved you the most?
Catherine Marchal: Certainly a portrait of Romy Schneider but which one? Certainly all of them.
And the one that made you angry?
Catherine Marchal: The one by Nilufer Demir of this dead baby washed up on a beach. If we had to name only one.
What is your relationship with the image?
Catherine Marchal: It’s part of the job, but nothing more.
What image do you have of yourself?
Catherine Marchal: Benevolent but lucid.
What quality is necessary to be a good photographer?
Catherine Marchal: Patience.
The secret of the perfect image, if it exists?
Catherine Marchal: The framing.
The camera of your beginnings?
Catherine Marchal: My mother’s 35mm Pentax.
The one you use today?
Catherine Marchal: My Iphone.
Your favorite drug?
Catherine Marchal: Anything that makes you laugh.
Your greatest quality?
Catherine Marchal: Loyalty.
An image to illustrate a new banknote?
Catherine Marchal: A tree.
The job you would not have liked to do?
Catherine Marchal: (Symbolically) Accountant.
Your greatest extravagance as an actress?
Catherine Marchal: To be alone on stage.
Your biggest regret?
Catherine Marchal: My job is not a job that deserves regrets.
What is your relationship to social networks? Which ones do you use?
Catherine Marchal: A relationship that is both playful and professional. They are incredible communication tools. It is also a way to be in contact with the public. So, Instagram mostly but also Twitter, Facebook and a bit of Linkedin.
Color or B&W?
Catherine Marchal: B&W.
Daylight or artificial light?
Catherine Marchal: Evening light.
If God existed, would you ask him to pose for you, or would you opt for a selfie with him?
Catherine Marchal: A selfie please! Because my grandmother loves you.
The image that represents for you the current state of the world?
Catherine Marchal: This New York Times photo of Australia burning.
What do you think the world is missing today?
Catherine Marchal: Time (to heal before imploding).
What if we had to do it all over again?
Catherine Marchal: Everything the same, even the mistakes.
