Matt Damon’s latest feature film is now out in theaters. In Still water, Damon plays an Oklahoma roughneck who is in France to visit his daughter, who is suspected of murder. The film is directed by Tom McCarthy and also stars Camille Cottin, Abigail Breslin, Deanna Dunagan and Lilou Siauvaud.
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“Still water follows an American robber on an Oklahoma oil rig who travels to Marseille to visit his estranged daughter who is in jail for a murder she allegedly did not commit, ”the official summary reads. “Given language barriers, cultural differences and a complicated legal system, Bill is building a new life for himself in France while making it his personal mission to relieve his daughter.”
Alyse Wax from ComingSoon spoke with Still water Star Camille Cottin on her role, the uniqueness of Marseille and the city’s influence on the filming. Check out the video below or a transcript below.
Alyse Wax: What attracted you to the role in Stillwater?
Camille Cottin: I was really drawn to the character. I thought she was an angel, a modern angel, and it’s a very discreet angel because she’s a single mother … and I think this is a beautiful portrait of a woman standing on her feet. The fact that she doesn’t discriminate against Bill Baker for who he is and where he’s from. She has no prejudice. This is a personality that I was very sensitive to because I think it embodies a perspective of tolerance and openness. I like the relationship it builds with the audience, it opens the door to Bill Baker and the audience. It’s like she invites everyone to sit down at her table, and I really appreciate that personality as a person.
It’s interesting that you say she was very open to Bill because a lot of the characters in Marseille are kind of racist. Was that an interesting dichotomy for you?
I think we have both, I think Marseille is an incredible city because it has a great cultural mix and at the same time a lot of racism and I think it was important to have another counterpoint because we have Bill’s point of view and perspective Races. When he says, well, I work with that guy with a guy like that, that’s racist. I work with guys like that all the time and I don’t care. I think Tom really portrayed all of these people who live together and the different faces of this coexistence.
Did you enjoy filming in France instead of traveling or did you miss that part of it?
I’m from Paris so living in Marseille was the trip for me. It’s a city by the sea and the light is amazing. I really enjoy living where my character lives and when it’s not my place because it really helps immerse myself in the stories. But it was almost as exotic for me to be in Marseille as it was for Tom, Matt and all the others.
Did that help you prepare for your role of living in Marseille?
Yes, in any case. Which is funny, I lived only two blocks from the apartment where all of the scenes are. I shot the apartment Virginie owned, and yes, definitely. I mean, you get inspired by the places you live.
