Amongst the buzz of the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival, we caught up with British actress Mirabel Stuart. Mirabel talks candidly about her experiences at the festival, her movements around the festival and what excites her most about the industry.
How does it feel to be attending this year’s Cannes Film Festival?
I am delighted to once again be at the Cannes Film Festival this year. The magic of Cannes together with the infectious creativity of filmmakers really inspires me. I believe telling stories is important for the world and social change, as well as entertaining us; this festival is brilliant at bringing together so many cultures from around the world and advocating inclusivity.
How do actors usually prepare for the Cannes Film Festival?
Nothing can prepare you for the unpredictability of Cannes!! Haha, I’m joking (sort of)! The days are filled with a flurry of activities. I feel you could experience Cannes in almost five different ways! I love to research the films that are in the competition before arriving in Cannes and get a feel for what films I’m keen to watch, as well as press conferences and interesting industry panels on offer. I also like reaching out to fellow colleagues, as it’s always great to catch up with old friends and potential future collaborators. I am fortunate enough to be teaming up with some fab brands (a special mention must go to Nars Cosmetics and Balmain hair); they are great at helping to pull final red carpet looks together!
This year, I attended the opening film. It was Quentin Dupieux’s ‘Le Deuxième Acte’, which blends humour and issues, like the influence of AI and the challenges of maintaining an authentic artistic voice in a world dominated by algorithms. These themes resonated deeply, especially in today’s fast-evolving cinematic landscape.”
“I found it very clever how Dupieux created a narrative that blurred the boundaries between reality and fiction — a film within a film.”
“I am excited for the highly anticipated and self-funded Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’, a true testament to his enduring ambition and creative vision; I admire Coppola’s relentless drive to push the boundaries of storytelling.
What are your favourite acting projects to date?
I have really enjoyed shooting British TV, namely ‘Call The Midwife’, ‘Midsomer Murders’ and sharing the screen with comedy gold ‘Inbetweeners’ star Emily Atack in her own ITV show. Other highlights include acting alongside Oscar-winning actress Rachel Shenton and American TV true crime drama ‘Obsession’. However, it’s my latest lead role in James Crow’s Netflix folklore horror, where I play a policewoman who goes undercover as a sweet live-in teacher, that I really got to challenge myself with dual characterisation.
Which commercials have you been part of?
I have been lucky enough to fly all around the world shooting global brands. Some favourites were The Four Seasons, Harrods, Kenwood, Visa and Rihanna’s Fenty makeup. It was a real pinch-me moment when I got to model over £120 million worth of jewellery for editorials in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines. As I flew out to Cannes from Gatwick, I did a double take to see myself on a billboard advertising Duty Free!
Any interesting stories from the Cannes Film Festival?
Haha!
“Yes, one year I started talking to a man, telling him he looked so much like Jack Nicholson; he replied, “Well that’s reassuring!” Later, I found out it actually was Jack Nicholson — oops!”
He was so lovely and down to earth. You just never know!
