Iris Berben
Why the red carpet is “suddenly uncharted territory”
Iris Berben at the Cannes Film Festival.
© L’Oréal Paris
The red carpet in Cannes is considered particularly glamorous, and Iris Berben cannot miss it after the Corona lean period.
Until July 17th, Cannes will be all about the film festival again. After a 2020 pandemic hit by the corona pandemic, stars and fans are again looking forward to the show on the world-famous Croisette. Iris Berben (70) is also at the start of the film festival. At the opening, the actress delighted with a striking statement on her white dream robe. The dress read in large black letters: “Plus fort ensemble” (in German: “Stronger together”). In the interview, Berben remembers her first appearance in Cannes and reveals how much she is looking forward to her comeback on the first international red carpet in months.
Can you still remember your very first gig here in Cannes, what do you remember?
Iris Berben: I can remember in 1978, the very young Brooke Shields at the premiere of her film “Pretty Baby” on the beach. A child who behaved like a child there and was celebrated as a star on the stage in the evening. A remarkable first time for me in Cannes.
What are you particularly looking forward to this year?
Berben: I’m just happy that it is possible to hold this special festival. To see familiar faces, to exchange ideas and to watch a few exciting films.
The red carpet in Cannes is the first international one after all the lockdowns. Did you miss the flash of flashlights?
Berben: L’Oréal Paris has proclaimed the catchy motto “Back to beauty”. A beautiful and clever statement that means being able to show yourself attractive again, as well as celebrating the beauty of the culture, exchanging ideas with others, laughing. These are important and overdue signals to politics and the world and I am very much looking forward to them.
What about your statement on the dress?
Berben: I designed the dress together with the Iranian / German designer Nobi Talai because it was important to me to make a statement that shows that we can only do it together. Whether it’s a pandemic, the current political situation or women empowerment – only together do we have the power and strength to change something. And of course the message is in French because we are in France, but it is also a bow to Cannes and a sign of L’Oréal Paris, who have been empowering women and advocating women’s rights for over 50 years.
How does it feel to stand in front of the photographers in great style again?
Berben: That, too, is suddenly new territory again. How will the mood be? Are we all a little more reserved? But of course, after the long period of retreat, of pragmatic clothing, the desire to be attractive again is very big.
How do you manage to always look so perfect?
Berben: I don’t really like the term “perfect”. I try to dress and make-up appropriately for the occasion. In the course of time you know what you want to underline, how you want to be perceived.
How much time do you invest in your appearance?
Berben: Not very much. Everything has to happen pretty quickly for me. But I go to the beautician as regularly as possible.
Do you also like to wear make-up in private?
Berben: Yes, but more like a make-up base, I emphasize the eyebrows and lips – that’s enough privately.
What are your biggest beauty tips?
Berben: Stay out of the sun, the skin thanks it. Don’t join every trend, try out what you want to emphasize and laugh as much as possible.
What do you find most beautiful about yourself?
Berben: My laugh.
Is there anything that you are not satisfied with at all?
No, it does not exist. I have come to terms with myself well. True to the motto: What you see is what you get!