Yves Montand (1921 - 1991) was an Italian-born French actor and singer.
Montand leaned forward
and stared at me rather menacingly. I was impressed by his ability to give a
political speech in the privacy of his living room. But I was taken aback when
he paused for breath and spoke to me directly. Until that moment I had the
feeling that I was sitting in the front row of an auditorium, listening to a
politician who was trying to get my vote.
“Many people think that they will have no talent according
to which government is in power. It’s not the government or the political
philosophy that gives you talent. You have to have it first. Or you don’t have
it. That’s why life is cruel. Life is not roses. Life is hard; you can lose it
at any moment, at any age.”
Montand leapt from subject
to subject, interspersing English noun and French verbs. I pointed out that he
had been unnecessarily bad tempered during the interview, for I had understood
what he was saying, but I would have preferred to talk about his acting career
and leave politics in abeyance for a while.
“Oh, no. I hope I was unpleasant. Was I? No, let me explain
why… You see…there are people who just give any old interview. But I can’t. I give
myself completely. I can’t help it, and I can’t do otherwise. It’s a terrible
weakness of mine.”
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