Juliette Binoche

For me, acting goes to a special place; it's almost mystical. You have to let go of what you think is good; it's a jump into trust, and trying to reach without wanting too much.

The thing is that I never felt beautiful. I really never did. I think I can change my looks and be different things, but I've never thought of myself as this face.

I like intensity. If it's too mellow, I feel like, bleah. I like intensity, because it's way of reaching spaces inside of you, and it's my need of knowledge, of knowing about myself regardless.

I have stories that I'd like to maybe one day consider directing, but you need a lot of time to write and put it together.

But I think it's a little different in Europe, because 40 is really the best age for a woman. That's when we hit our peak and become this ripe fruit.

Usually I love preparing. It's really the time I prefer, because it's a time of reflection and of possibility of growth - to let it cook inside.

For me, habit is just a synonym for death.

When I won the Oscar, there was something telling me 'this isn't the truth'. I had to get back to real work.

I like being a mother, and I want to be involved in my work, so I have to make choices. If you're a film actress, your career is from 20 to 45, but you can still dream.

When you really put your heart in the work, you don't think of how you look. And I think that's the beauty of it.

Fighting the ageing process just doesn't work. I think that actresses, ultimately, are responsible for the faces we give to women.