Jeanne Herry Discusses ‘Another Day’ at Cannes, Featuring Adèle Exarchopoulos as a Struggling Actress Confronting Her Alcoholism: “She Is At the Top of Her Game Right Now”

French director Jeanne Herry made a striking appearance on the red carpet this evening at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of Another Day. This latest project stars Adèle Exarchopoulos as an actress grappling with the challenges of her profession, including instability, alcoholism, family tragedy, and love.

This marks Herry’s fourth feature film, following Elle L’ Adore (2014), In Safe Hands (2018), and the critically acclaimed All Your Faces, which earned Exarchopoulos the César Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2024.

DEADLINE: What inspired you to create Another Day and the protagonist Garance?

JEANNE HERRY: It’s the fusion of two projects. I’ve been interested in addiction and alcohol for a long time. It’s so widespread, so common, and we all know people who are addicted or have been.

DEADLINE: What sparked your interest in this issue?

HERRY: There are many ways to be an alcoholic. It’s a huge public health problem. I began reading books and listening to podcasts on the subject. Then I met a young woman who kindly shared her journey with alcoholism and her relationship with drinking, as well as other aspects of her life—family, professional, social, and romantic.

DEADLINE: What was the second project?

HERRY: I’ve long wanted to create a portrait of an actress, but not one who has reached star status. I aimed to depict someone like many of my friends and what I would have become had I continued as an actress, illustrating the tough realities of that lifestyle. I merged this concept with the story of the woman from whom I borrowed many biographical elements, including her family and love life, as well as her struggle with alcohol.

DEADLINE: The film delves into the precariousness of the acting profession. Is this drawn from personal experience?

HERRY: A bit, but I’ve also observed how difficult it is through my friends. It’s hard to be an actor and especially challenging to be an actress. I always think about actors when I write because I love collaborating with them. This film allowed me to more strongly express my love for them and highlight the difficulties they face.

Acting is a well-known but often misunderstood profession. The craft is unstable; it is a nomadic lifestyle, moving from project to project and collaborator to collaborator.

DEADLINE: How did you select Adèle Exarchopoulos for the lead role?

HERRY: We worked together on my previous film, and there was a clear professional synergy between my writing and her acting skills. I needed a young actress because my character descends into alcoholism at a young age but manages to function well until her life spirals out of control.

This is a character-driven film, meaning everything revolves around her. We are constantly engaged with her, and I required an actress who could evoke empathy on screen. It was a demanding role with various moods and situations, showcasing her in multiple facets. Adèle is currently at the pinnacle of her abilities.

DEADLINE: Do you believe this is a significant moment in Adèle Exarchopoulos’ career?

HERRY: I can’t predict what will happen next, but Adèle has been acting for a long time, having started at a young age. She has taken on numerous intense roles, and there’s an intensity in her life that aligns perfectly with the characters she portrays. She is committed, putting herself at the service of the story, the film, and the character. At this moment, she is indeed at the peak of her acting career.

DEADLINE: Your last film, All Your Faces, was more of an ensemble piece. Does this film also feature moving character arcs?

HERRY: In All Your Faces, it was akin to a chessboard, showcasing many perspectives. Here, I wanted to focus on an individual portrait, but she interacts with various groups along her journey of personal transformation. We filmed in 60 different settings and included many group scenes. I enjoy the precision of directing smaller groups, but this was about working with abundance—collective energy, noise, and music. It was a departure from my usual style of directing.

DEADLINE: Without revealing any spoilers, the film concludes on a hopeful note, yet it remains uncertain whether Garance will overcome her struggles with alcohol. What do you envision for her character in the future?

HERRY: Addiction is a complex journey, and relapses are common. I wanted to provide my character, Garance, with a pathway out of her struggles. While the film is a portrait of a woman, it’s also a love story. However, love alone doesn’t resolve addiction; otherwise, it would be a simpler issue. The film illustrates how favorable circumstances are crucial for recovery and highlights the significance of meeting the right person who understands addiction.

DEADLINE: One of your past credits includes directing an episode of Call My Agent!, featuring Juliette Binoche at the Cannes Film Festival. Did you shoot it during the festival?

HERRY: We filmed some scenes during the festival, but primarily outside of it. This is my first film selection for Cannes or any major festival, making it a significant occasion. I previously attended as a co-writer for the film The Kingdom by Julien Colonna, which was showcased in Un Certain Regard. Walking the red carpet for my own film now brings me immense honor, curiosity, and joy.