Odessa Atsion is a big hugger. The 25-year-old actress leaps from the sofa on the rooftop terrace of the Chopard Suite at the Hotel Martinez to embrace during the dizzying 24 hours of the Cannes Film Festival. The previous evening, Atsion made her Cannes debut, appearing on the red carpet at the Palais de la Cinéma, where she faced a throng of photographers alongside actor Connor Swindells, French legend Isabelle Huppert, and Chopard's Caroline Scheufele. They then headed to Carlton Beach for the late-night Chopard Trophy ceremony, where Huppert celebrated Atsion and Swindells as next-generation talents in the presence of Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga, James Franco, Riley Keough, Nicky Hilton, Xavier Dolan, and others. A'zion gave a speech describing her experience as "really weird and crazy and surreal," stayed for dessert, and made a brief appearance at Cannes's fanciest party celebrating her co-star's directorial debut. «"I love Los Angeles"» Jordan Firstman «"Club kid.". Then it was time for bed to get some rest before a busy day of Chopard press conferences dedicated to the event. Her look was completed with sparkling diamonds and a breathtaking view of the French Riviera. After the hug The Hollywood Reporter spent 20 minutes with the film's star «Marty Supreme» , to talk about her Cannes adventure, how Josh Safdie's film changed her life, and what she learned from the backlash she received from the film. «Deep Cuts» and why she guards her privacy so fiercely.
What was the first thought that came to your mind when you woke up today?
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«"Damn it, I need to get ready for all these interviews right now." My second thought was, "I still don't understand what's going on." I couldn't process anything, except maybe a little last night when they showed clips. Then I thought, "What the hell is going on?" It was so crazy, weird, ridiculous, and so cool.
I love a good highlight reel. Yesterday, during your speech, you said that watching your own highlight reel was "terrible." As an actor, do you find it difficult to watch your own work?
I was so ashamed. I used to always think it was better not to watch my own work because everyone said so, so I didn't. And even if I did watch something, I always thought, "Oh my God, I'm terrible. What am I doing wrong?" Now I've realized that it's important to watch your own work. That doesn't mean I watch projects over and over again, but I do watch them at least once when they come out.
It's like being an athlete, right? Athletes watch their performances to figure out what worked and what didn't. I think it's the same in acting. It's important to know what works for you and what doesn't, even if it's just for yourself. By watching myself, I realized which facial expressions didn't work and what wasn't working in the moment. During filming, I only watch the footage if I feel something didn't work or if I need an idea for further development.
When you watched all the videos of your projects, what were you most proud of?
Marty Supreme. It was the first time I looked at something I'd made myself and thought, "Okay, this is not bad. This is normal.".
How Marty Supreme changed your life?
Oh my god. I don't even know how to describe it. Josh changed my life. Every director I've worked with who believed in me enough to cast me in a project saw something special in me, and I'm so grateful to each and every one of them. But to be a part of a film like this is a whole other thing. It's hard to talk about it without sounding like I'm downplaying something else, because I'm not. I'm truly grateful for everything I've been a part of, but «Marty Supreme» It seems like something that was written specifically for me, without their knowledge. It sounds banal.
I've never played a character with so many different facets and so many things going on. I was talking to [screenwriter Ronald Bronstein] while we were filming and I said, "Thank you. It's such a gift to an actor to let them go through six different emotional twists in two minutes." She was so passionate, but also so submissive. I'm so grateful to him for trusting me to play such a character. I've always wanted to do this: she gets shot, she gets kidnapped, she gets pregnant, she has a baby, so much happens. I don't know when I'll ever get to play someone like that again. It was just incredible. All of it. Josh was on my list of people I wanted to work with, and the same goes for Timothée and A24. Because the film has more visibility, it means more people are seeing it, and hopefully that will help with other projects.
What are these other things?
I hope that because I was able to portray so many different facets of the character, people will remember me for projects where I play submissive characters, crazy characters out of touch with reality, or manipulative bitches. I love screaming at the top of my lungs in movies and crying my eyes out. It's so much fun.
The first project you participated in after success Marty Supreme, was Deep Cuts. I was impressed by how quickly you withdrew from the show amid the controversy and how you handled it. What did you learn from that experience?
Here's the thing: I was really upset about this whole situation. I don't know many people who read the book before filming because time is so short and we're all constantly moving. I didn't think to read the book. I read the script once. I auditioned for the lead female role, but they didn't get me. Much later, they offered me the second female role. I didn't think to go back and read her name because that's the only mention in the script. Her last name was mentioned once. I literally knew nothing. Unfortunately, no one at A24 or on my team noticed or thought to say, "By the way, the character..." If they had noticed, I would have said, "You're crazy. Why did you come to me with this?"«
It's wrong. Representation in Hollywood is so important, and there are so many other roles I could have played, but not in this sense. This role wasn't for me. It was incredibly frustrating, horrible, and people can think whatever they want, but I had no idea. I was glad I found out because it came up for me when I saw my photo tagged and was like, "Wait, what?" I immediately called them and said, "I'm not doing this.".
It's interesting that you've noticed this yourself on social media. How closely do you monitor comments and discussions online?
I've been in discussions like this before, and honestly, it seems really weird now. People assume that because you're in the public eye, you know everything about the world at any given moment. You have to give people space to grow and learn. You can't assume that anyone knows everything about everything all the time. I learn something new every day. You learn about people, events, and news happening in the world, and you say, "Oh, I didn't know that." Or, "I disagree with that." You know what I mean? We have to give each other space to grow and not try to be so quick to spite people. It's not cool. But you can't control the internet. It's really terrible, but you can't.
The internet loves to remind everyone that you don't work with a stylist or makeup artist. How is that even possible at the Cannes Film Festival, considering you walked the big red carpet? Although I know you were wearing luxurious Chopard jewelry…
I know, it was crazy. All this is from Chopard because they lent me some stuff. And the suit is from Jonathan Anderson for Dior because he lent me some clothes too. I'm wearing it again today.
This is a great suit.
Thank you. Honestly, most of the time it all happens at the last minute. I like to wear what I like. That doesn't mean I'm always happy with my clothes. Since I don't have a stylist, sometimes I don't know where to find clothes, but I like to express myself outside the image portrayed by movies or TV shows. Sometimes it's important to feel like yourself, and sometimes I like to step out of my comfort zone.
For example, when?
Like at the Met Gala. I felt like I was playing a character. I was impersonating Tallulah [from series "I Love Los Angeles" »].
Tell me about Cody Fern's book «Mother Courage.
Oh my god. Cody Fern is absolutely amazing, and he wrote such a beautiful script. We met at a party, and then he contacted me a few weeks later and let me read it. I was so, so excited to be a part of this project with an incredible cast. The script made me cry, and it reminded me of my sisters and me. It was a very short but fun experience. I love Sarah [Paulson] and Naomi [Watts] so much. It’s so cool to watch their relationship because they have a show together [«All’s Fair»]. They’re so close and they have such positive energy. It was amazing.
You also have another movie coming out, «"Fund"» Justine Triet: What can you tell us about this project?
She's also so cool and knows exactly what she wants. I love that. Working with a female director is just amazing. She's such a visionary. I'm like, "How the hell did you write this script?" It's so crazy and so cool. I can't say more. But I can say it's so cool to be part of such an amazing cast and to work with such a powerful script. The story is so original. That's all I want. I want to continue to create or be involved in creating new, original stories.
Let's talk about Chopard. What were your impressions of the Cannes Film Festival? Do you know much about high-end jewelry?
Honestly, I don't know much about jewelry. But I'd love to create my own jewelry line someday. That's all I know. I also learned how actively Chopard is involved in the Cannes Film Festival, and it's truly amazing. I love how much they support film, art, artists, and creative people. They created this award to encourage young actors to pursue their careers, and it's so wonderful. It's not just jewelry; it's a company that supports art and artists.
Do you want to start your own jewelry line?
I want to make everything. I love jewelry. I usually always wear my own. I love vintage jewelry. For every project, I collect a ring as a personal little keepsake or souvenir. I've lost a lot of them. But I love jewelry, all kinds of chunky vintage jewelry. My idea for my own line has always been to create jewelry from recycled plastic from the ocean. But I haven't yet figured out how to make something beautiful and chic, not vulgar. But one day I will.
You said, "I want to do everything." What else?
Oh my god – everything! One day I would really like to create my own clothing line. I want to make jewelry. I want to draw and make music.
I've heard some of your songs. They're just wonderful.
Really? I only have two songs released so far. The other songs were released under a different name.
I've seen a few TikTok videos and I think people are just now rediscovering the service.
Because I just released a few songs on the 30th.
Is there a world where there is an album?
Yeah, I hope there's an album. I have probably about 500 songs that I've written over the years. I don't know if I'll ever release them all, but it's like my journal. When I'm going through something, I sit down at the piano or pick up the guitar and just write down whatever comes to mind. It's scary, though, because it's very, very personal. I don't want people digging into it or asking me, "Who is this about?"«
That's what scares me, and that's why I'm so nervous about releasing anything. Also, a lot of people in the industry have support in music, and I'm just now finding mine. Until recently, I wrote and produced music exclusively by myself. I'd never been in a studio or recorded anything. But now I've found incredible engineers, co-producers, collaborators, and colleagues with whom I can collaborate on music, and it's really exciting.
When people are in the public eye, it's hard to avoid the question, "Who are we talking about?" What's the best and hardest thing about being constantly watched?
I'm very private about my personal life. I don't like to talk about it much because I don't want people to know. I kept my relationships private for years, and no one knew. I did it partly for the music, so people wouldn't know who I was talking about, but also to protect the hearts and lives of others. I think that's important. And I will say that it's scary that more and more people are watching me, the thought of how I maintain my privacy and secrecy. It's uncomfortable, but as uncomfortable as it is, I understand that it means my career is growing because more and more people are watching what I do. And that means, hopefully, I'll keep working. I hope people like what they see, and I can keep creating new things.
Yesterday, during your acceptance speech, you said that among the Chopard Trophy winners, there are many actors you admire. Is there anyone on that list whose work truly means a lot to you?
Isabelle Huppert is the godmother of the Chopard Prize, and watching her performance last night, you could see what a sophisticated career she's built. She truly creates art and collaborates with incredible creative people. I hope to have a similar career one day.
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