Jean Dujardin, 'The Artist's' Quiet Star, on American Audiences and Uggie your pet

It's ironic that George Clooney's finest competition within the Academy awards for top Actor may be Jean Dujardin. Ultimately, Dujardin -- most likely typically the most popular stars in France, with 23 film credits to his title -- was already being known to by some as "french George Clooney." Such as the dashing 39-year-old gets the looks and charm from the matinee idol -- or Clooney, 2011's nearest step to some matinee idol. It's also why Dujardin is the greatest choice to lead 'The Artist,' french import that's already the talk of Oscar season -- even though it's totally quiet. Directed by Michel Havazancius, 'The Artist' notifies the story of quiet film star George Valentin (Dujardin, who won Best Actor honors within the Cannes Film Festival taken), a titan of industry who eventually ends up round the outdoors searching in each time a new industry, talkies -- embodied onscreen by Berenice Bejo's Peppy Burns -- removes his livelihood. The quiet film (is also in black and white-colored) can be a love letter to Old Hollywood as well as the miracle of movies, a perfect antidote with a world where 'Jack and Jills' and 'Tower Heists' routinely hit the large screen. Dujardin spoke to Moviefone, via his interpreter, about filming 'The Artist,' the versions between French and American audiences, and Uggie your pet. 'The Artist' is clearly very difficult sell. Could it happen to be a difficulty on Michel to convince you it had been advisable for that career? The first time he stated it, I mentioned yes. Then, I'd a sizable doubt so to speak. I wasn't sure whatsoever essentially should do it, due to the fact I didn't know enough relating to this. Michel mentioned, "You're the one which needs to make it happen nobody are capable of doing this. I written it to suit your needs. I am unable to pressure you, but..." I referred to as back and mentioned, "Pardon me. I'm thinking like someone else. Clearly, I will take action.In . Personally, I loved it. I want to make quiet movies now. [Laughs] The thing that was it in regards to the experience that really made you fall deeply deeply in love with the quiet format? Michel had the music activity survive set. That, with an actor, multiples your emotions. It's the only film it may be completed in. You're live. Inside the movie, you're live. You're already inside the editing in the movie throughout. He'd positioned on music good scene. It absolutely was 35 incredible days. You're a significant star in France, but a newcomer to American audiences. You think that mystery helps the film whatsoever? Yes, absolutely. There's no judgement or expectation. They don't know Berenice, Michel or me. They're beginning from nothing. In Cannes, it absolutely was the identical factor. It's very comfortable. There's no pressure. It's all regulated controlled pleasure. People are kind after they start to see the movie... But does that frustrate you -- requiring to maybe prove yourself once more to another audience? No, because the tasks are done. It's on the watch's screen. I did so my job. After, I am in a position to explain it. It must be marvelous. I am not going everyone to like me, which i do not choose who likes me. You have to give them the choice, give them the option. Vincent Cassel involves mind just like a French actor who stars in films both here and abroad. Does that type of career suit your needs? Do you want to star in American films? It will have to be described as a role that's personally. It's the encounter, while using director as well as the story, that counts. It comes down lower towards the associations -- an individuals associations. It is not of a Hollywood machine. If only to take advantage of the director who becomes my cousin, my father, for just two several days. You permit you to ultimately that each. Like, in France, you won't numerous products to possess real yeses. You've labored with Michel three occasions now, so you've clearly learned that great human relationship. The facts about him that keeps you coming back? He's very calm. He never yells. Not once in three films together. He's reassuring. He's anxious, but he keeps it to themselves -- he's elegant because way. He's a difficult worker which he jokes around a good deal. If you have both, it's good. Your previous films with Michel -- the 'OSS 117' films -- were parodies. 'The Artist' may have easily drifted into that arena, however it won't do. How difficult could it happen to be to help keep the tonal balance? To not ensure it is a lot of a goof? Michel wanted two tales. His idea wound up being to build up the level of smoothness in the beginning in the movie -- the film within the film, the Douglas Fairbanks references. Nevertheless it wouldn't have organized with an hour and half. So, it visited more 'City Girl,' F.W. Murnau kind of story. Just telling an account. That's cinema. It is not quiet, black and white-colored. It's a simple story that's well-crafted. 'The Artist' is doing perfectly within the French box office, there is however some question if this can communicate with American audiences. You think there's that the distinction between your 2? Maybe french tend to be cineastes. Us citizens tend to be relaxed. Films certainly are a spectacle [to Us citizens. Entertainment. Here, people comment live. They laugh. They live it. This is actually the best gift you might have. In France ... it is not more intellectual, there is however a little more judgement. Being relaxed is a lot more from the problem. It's really a modesty. It's more prudish -- but it's not the sexual side of prudish. More modesty. There's a distance. I have to mention Uggie your pet, who was simply nearly the most popular onscreen dog ever he's like George's right arm inside the film. The amount of time did you have to devote to produce that relationship work? I understood it had been one more value for the project, which he can be a a part of George's existence. They are Siamese twins. It absolutely was really rather easy to make use of Uggie, because he's a really correctly trained dog. Very gifted. I merely required to follow him a little, improvise a little. Sometimes he'd follow me. Especially because of the sausages I'd throughout my pocket. [Laughs] 'The Artist' involves limited release on November. 25. Go back to Moviefone for further within the film's key players inside a couple of days. [Photo: TWC] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook