At the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, Jodie Foster captivated audiences and critics alike with her starring role in the French-language psychological thriller A Private Life (Vie Privée). The two-time Oscar winner, known for iconic performances in films like The Silence of the Lambs and The Accused, took on a bold new challenge: playing a French-speaking protagonist for the first time in a leading role. During a press conference at the festival, Foster candidly described the experience as a “huge challenge,” one that pushed her artistic boundaries and revealed a different side of her as an actor. This article explores Foster’s journey with A Private Life, the significance of her French-language performance, and the film’s reception at Cannes, while delving into the broader context of her career and the European film industry.

A New Frontier: Foster’s French-Language Lead Role

Directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski, A Private Life is a sophisticated, Paris-set psychological thriller that blends elements of comedy, mystery, and drama. Foster stars as Lilian Steiner, an American psychiatrist living in Paris who becomes obsessed with investigating the death of her patient, Paula Cohen-Solal (played by Virginie Efira), whom she suspects was murdered rather than having died by suicide. The film, which premiered out of competition at Cannes on May 20, 2025, received an impressive eight-to-ten-minute standing ovation, a testament to its impact and Foster’s commanding performance.

What sets A Private Life apart in Foster’s illustrious career is its linguistic demands. While Foster is fluent in French—having attended the Lycée Français de Los Angeles and provided French dubbing for some of her English-language roles—she had never before taken on a leading role entirely in French. Her previous French-language work was limited to smaller parts, such as a supporting role in Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 2004 film A Very Long Engagement. At the Cannes press conference, Foster admitted, “This is the first time that I’ve had as much dialogue in a French movie. It was a huge challenge for me.” She explained that learning lines in French was “one hundred times harder” than in English, particularly as she has grown older.

Foster’s fluency in French, while impeccable, did not shield her from self-doubt. She revealed that she had been offered leading roles in French films in the past but declined them out of fear. “I was too scared,” she confessed. “I thought someone who is familiar with French should do so.” Her hesitation stemmed from the pressure of performing in a language where she felt less confident, which altered her natural acting style. “When I act in French, I’m a totally different person,” Foster noted. “I have a much higher voice, I’m much less confident, and I get very frustrated because I can’t express myself as well.” This vulnerability, however, became a creative asset, allowing her to craft a unique character in Lilian Steiner, whose intensity and determination drive the film’s narrative.

The Making of A Private Life: A Collaboration with Rebecca Zlotowski

A Private Life is as much a triumph for director Rebecca Zlotowski as it is for Foster. Zlotowski, a prominent figure in French cinema known for films like * Belle Épine* and * Other People’s Children*, envisioned Foster as the star of her sixth feature from the project’s inception. “I had the title, Vie Privée, that obsessed me, and I had a person, Jodie Foster, that obsessed me,” Zlotowski told Vanity Fair. The director was drawn to Foster’s visible intelligence and the “quickness of thought” she brings to her roles, qualities that shine through in Lilian’s relentless pursuit of truth.

The collaboration between Foster and Zlotowski was meticulous. Foster recounted spending six to seven hours reviewing the script word-for-word with Zlotowski, a process that convinced her of the director’s commitment and vision. The screenplay, co-written by Zlotowski, Anne Berest, and Gaëlle Macé, weaves a complex narrative that combines classic whodunit elements with psychological depth and a touch of supernatural mystique. One notable plot device involves Lilian undergoing hypnosis, which reveals visions of a past life in World War II-era Paris, suggesting a deeper connection to her patient. This blend of genres—thriller, comedy, and drama—reflects the creative freedom Foster admired in European cinema, where directors like Zlotowski have more authority to experiment compared to the often rigid genre constraints of Hollywood.

The film’s all-star French cast, including Daniel Auteuil as Lilian’s ex-husband Gabriel, Mathieu Amalric as Paula’s husband Simon, and Vincent Lacoste as Lilian’s son Julien, adds further depth. Foster’s chemistry with Auteuil, in particular, stands out, with their sharp-tongued banter and playful reconnection providing some of the film’s most memorable moments. A standout scene, described as “right out of Nancy Drew,” sees Lilian and Gabriel breaking into a house to search for evidence, a sequence that balances suspense with humor.

Reception at Cannes: A Star-Studded Triumph

The premiere of A Private Life at Cannes was a star-studded affair, attended by luminaries like Gael García Bernal, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Scarlett Johansson, and Colin Jost. The audience’s enthusiastic response, culminating in an eight-to-ten-minute standing ovation, underscored the film’s resonance. Foster, ever gracious, gestured toward Zlotowski during the applause, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project. Critics praised Foster’s performance, with Variety noting her ability to “steer an upscale, Paris-set psychological thriller” with conviction, even as Lilian’s investigation pushes ethical boundaries. The Guardian described the film as a “genial, preposterous psychological mystery caper,” with Foster’s charisma anchoring its slightly anticlimactic conclusion.

The film’s visual and auditory elements also received acclaim. Shot by cinematographer George Lechaptois with lush colors and featuring a propulsive soundtrack by Robin Coudert, A Private Life maintains a brisk pace over its 100-minute runtime. While some reviews, like The Film Stage, noted that the film might feel “somewhat insubstantial” due to its lack of a sensational twist, the consensus was that Foster’s performance and the chemistry among the cast made it a “breezy, fun” showcase.

Foster’s Reflections: A Career Evolving in Europe

Foster’s decision to star in A Private Life reflects her broader appreciation for the European film industry, which she believes offers better conditions for filmmakers, particularly women. At the Cannes press conference, she highlighted the disparity in opportunities for female directors in the U.S. compared to Europe. “I’d only worked with one female director until a few years ago,” she remarked. “Isn’t that kind of amazing? After I’ve made 60 movies that I’ve barely ever worked with another woman?” In Europe, she noted, female directors have a stronger tradition and more creative control, a factor that drew her to Zlotowski’s project.

Foster also expressed a personal sense of freedom in working outside the U.S., particularly now that her children are grown. “I’m really enjoying working outside the United States,” she told Reuters. This freedom has allowed her to take risks, like tackling a French-language lead role, and to explore new facets of her craft. Looking ahead, Foster expressed interest in lighter, more comedic roles, noting, “The older I get, the more I want to be more lighthearted.” This shift signals a desire to move away from the intense, self-focused roles of her youth toward stories that explore the experiences of others.

A Milestone in a Storied Career

A Private Life marks a significant milestone in Jodie Foster’s career, which began at age three with commercials and has spanned over six decades. A frequent presence at Cannes, Foster first attended as a teenager for Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, which won the Palme d’Or in 1976. She has since directed films like Money Monster and The Beaver at the festival and received an honorary Palme d’Or in 2021. Her performance in A Private Life not only showcases her linguistic prowess but also her ability to reinvent herself as an actor, embracing vulnerability and transformation in a new cultural and linguistic context.

For Foster, the challenge of acting in French was not just technical but deeply personal. “I’m a different person in French than I am in English,” she told Vanity Fair. This duality—between confidence and frustration, familiarity and foreignness—infuses her portrayal of Lilian Steiner with authenticity and depth. As A Private Life prepares for its theatrical release on November 26, 2025, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, it stands as a testament to Foster’s enduring talent and her willingness to embrace the unknown.

Conclusion

Jodie Foster’s starring role in A Private Life at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival is a triumph of courage, collaboration, and artistic evolution. By taking on the “huge challenge” of a French-speaking protagonist, Foster has not only expanded her own repertoire but also highlighted the creative possibilities of European cinema. Her performance, paired with Zlotowski’s deft direction and a stellar cast, has made A Private Life a standout moment in a festival known for its prestige and innovation. As Foster continues to push boundaries and seek new stories to tell, her journey with A Private Life serves as an inspiring reminder that even the most accomplished artists can find new ways to grow.