On the occasion of the broadcast of the second episode ofParallel investigation (the third is already in the can), Saturday January 4 on France 3, where she plays the mother of Florence Pernel, Macha Meril gave us an interview in his image: dynamic and positive. And this even as she returned from the funeral of Niels Arestrup. Her age, her career, the #MeToo movement, motherhood, Michel Legrand… At 84 years old – sixty-five of which are in her career – the actress does not avoid any questions.
Macha Méril talks about her age bluntly
Télé-Loisirs: How are you?
Macha Meril. Alright ! I find that old age is an extraordinary age. If we are healthy, which is my case, this is the time when we know ourselves best. This is why, in my opinion, old age is an adventure. It’s very rare that we tell this in films. We believe that the public doesn’t want to see old people but it depends on which ones. Around me, I only see women who, after 80, are incredibly active. Old age is not a reduction, it is an enrichment. Really, I’m not saying that to show off. [Elle rit.]
At what age would you say it starts?
At menopause, as soon as men no longer see us as possible mothers. Even from a sexuality point of view, it’s much more interesting. In my opinion, love is not a young thing.
Are you referring to your beautiful story with the composer Michel Legrand ?
It has been a wonderful gift of life. I was 74 when I found him. We couldn’t have lived together before because at the time we met [en 1964, ndlr], he was busy with his career and I was busy with mine. We couldn’t have stood each other.
Macha Méril reveals the other job she would have liked to do
In Parallel investigation, you play a former actress. If you hadn’t been an actress, what job would you have liked to do?
I would have loved to go into politics, be a great diplomat or deal with geopolitics. I am interested in world movements. Besides, I sometimes speak on LCI with Darius Rochebin to talk about Russia and Ukraine. [Ses parents étaient issus de la noblesse russe, ndlr.]
What is the secret of your energy?
I don’t have a rule: when life calls me somewhere, I go there. I pay attention to my diet, swim and walk a lot, but I don’t do any sport, I find it boring… And above all, you have to cross out all the annoying things from your notebook. There are a lot of people I annoy, well, I forget about those. You can’t please everyone.
What are you most proud of artistically?
To have been chosen by great directors: Fassbinder, Lelouch, Godard, Varda… And to still be there, in good shape and with another proposal. I am not the same as I was 30 or 40 years old. Every time I get better!
And your biggest regret?
I don’t have many because you have to be kind to yourself. It’s not a regret but it happened to me twice that I was offered a film – The Bride and Groom of Year II, of Rappeneau and Life and nothing else, by Tavernier – but ultimately it was Marlène Jobert and Sabine Azéma who were chosen. I’m not bankable but that’s okay, I’m finished. These are things that we cannot control.
Macha Méril reveals the secret of her positivism
What memories do you have of your time at the Actors Studio?
Bad because I found it ridiculous! The method was a little too psychoanalytic. I saw Joanne Woodward, Anna Bancroft, Marlon Brando… [Elle a également tourné avec Dean Martin et Elizabeth Montgomery dans Mercredi soir, 9 heures…, ndlr.] I came from another cinema. I felt the call of the new wave, broke my American contract for seven films with Paramount without any regrets to return to shoot Adorable liar, by Michel Deville [sorti en 1962, ndlr].
You revealed that you had a bad experience with François Truffaut…
He didn’t always behave very well, even very badly! Today, that wouldn’t happen. Women of my generation took it all in silence. This is why I find the #MeToo movement wonderful. In my opinion, this is only the beginning.
Is it indiscreet to ask you why you didn’t have children?
Like many young girls of my time, I had to have a late abortion at 16. After that, I was never able to have one. It’s one of the tragedies of my life but it’s not one if you tell yourself that it means something. I had other duties, it just wasn’t my destiny.
What positivism!
[Elle rit.] It’s my little aristo side. I think you have to look good, not show a mater dolorosa face… even when things aren’t going well!
What can we wish you for 2025?
To edit the film I want to make about old age, And there you have it! which tells of a woman who leaves the retirement home where they want to lock her up. Maybe this will be my last stand.
