EXCLUSIVE!!!!

 

ELIZABETH BOURGINE

 

Born on March 20, 1957 in Levallois-Perret, Hauts-de-Seine in France, Elizabeth Bourgine made her debut in 1974 with the French short film 'Débarquement'. She has appeared since 1976 in the French films 'Madame G.', 'Nestor Burma, détective de choc', 'Vive la sociale!', 'Grenouilles', 'La 7ème cible', 'Cours Privé', 'Noyade interdite ', 'La couleur du vent', 'Un coeur en hiver', 'Boulevard des hirondelles', 'Le grand blanc de Lambaréné', 'Mon meilleur ami', 'Streamfield, les carnets noirs' and 'Maigret', the Tv -Films 'Les rebelles', 'Le loup blanc', 'Un otage de trop', 'Abus de confiance', 'Le trajet de la foudre', 'Barrage sur l'Orénoque', 'Une femme contre l'ordre' , 'Un père en plus', 'Le monde à l'envers', 'Du jour au lendemain', 'Le secret d'Alice', 'Cavalcade', 'Des nouvelles des enfants', 'Une Ferrari pour deux', 'Délit de fuites', 'La vagabond de la Baie de Somme', 'Mémoire de sang', 'Les mystères du Bois Galant' and 'Les mystères de l'Ecole de gendarmerie', the miniseries 'Histoires étranges' and 'Cassidi et Cassidi' and the TV series “Au coeur de la loi”. In 1976, Elizabeth sang the title song of the French film 'Madame G', where she was also the director's second assistant. She was nominated twice for The Cesar academy awards. In 1984 Elizabeth was nominated as Best Actrice in the Hope category for the film ‘Vive la sociale’ and in 1985, she was nominated as Best Actress in a supporting role for the film ‘La septième cible’. She won in 1985 the French prize the Prix Romy Schneider. Elizabeth produced in 2020 and directed the documentary 'Ma Cousine Mimi'. She contributed to the short films 'La guerre froide', 'Seul le ciel était témoin', 'Room service', 'Comme les doigts de la main', 'Abandons', 'Le Grand Alexandre', 'Le maillot jaune' and 'A vendre'. Elizabeth had guest roles in TV series such as “Jean-Christophe”, “L'Inspector mène l'enquête”, “De bien étranges affaires”, “Série noire”, “Maigret”, “Regards d'enfance”, “L' histoire du samedi”, “Passeur d'enfants”, “Carnets d'ado”, “Fred et son orchestre”, “Commissariat Bastille”, “La vie devant nous”, “Sauveur Giordano”, “Julie Lescaut”, “Commissaire Moulin”, “Navarro”, “Louis la brocante”, “Brigade Navarro”, “Louis Page”, “Camping Paradis”, “Flics”, “Enquêtes réservées”, “Joséphine, ange gardien”, “Famille d'accueil” , “On va s'aimer un peu, beaucoup”, “Commissaire Magellan” and “Meurtres à…”.

 

She can also be seen in English projects. For example, in 1986 Elizabeth played the role of Jeanne in the miniseries 'Sins' and in 1984 had a role in the miniseries 'The Sun Also Rises'. Since 2011 she can be admired as Catherine Bordey in the TV series “Death in Paradise”. In 2019, Elizabeth was one of the participants in the fourteenth season of the TV show “Celebrity Masterchef” in which she eventually came second. She had guest roles in the TV series “Screenplay”, “The Madame Blanc Mysteries” and “Beyond Paradise”. Perry was given the opportunity to interview the busy Elizabeth Bourgine for the internet site.

 

001.You act in TV series (“Death in Paradise” from 2011), movies (the 1982 French film 'Nestor Burma, detective de choc') and plays, were

       assistant to the director (the French film 'Madame G' from 1976 ), singer of the title track (the French film 'Madame G') and producer &

       director (the documentary 'Ma Cousini Mimi' from 2020). If you had to make a choice out of all your work that you prefer to do, what would

       it be?

       I used to play the piano and I like to sing. I also loved directing the French documentary 'Ma Cousine Mimi' from 2020. But in the '80s I was told I had

       to choose between acting, singing or dancing. You couldn't combine that with each other, they thought. Fortunately, that is now very different. Out of

       all my work, acting is my favoritee.

002.You sometimes hear that every character an actor or actress plays contains something of themselves. Can you name both a similarity and

       a big difference in character traits between yourself and Catherine Bordey from the TV series "Death in Paradise"?

       It depends on the character. But an actor becomes a role on the screen or on stage. You are always part of a character. I share the positivity and

       humor with Catherine. I can't really tell a difference between us. Catherine could certainly be a friend of mine. I think it would be wonderful to share

       adventures and chat with her.

003.At what point in your career are you most proud and/or do you have the best memories?

       The wonderful people I have had the pleasure of working with, meeting are the most important events in life. I am also happy that I am still working

       and my role in the TV series “Death in Paradise”. In 1985 I won the Prix Romy Schneider Prize which was important for my confidence and

       encouraging as an actress. I am lucky to have good and enthusiastic critics. I am still moved and become stronger thanks to the affection of the

       audience.

004.What does an average working day on the TV series “Death in Paradise” look like?

       I'm alone in a hotel because I never stay long in the place Guadeloupe. Morning pick up can be at 5am. A driver comes to pick up each actor at a

       different time. You will then be on set at 06:00. We don't always work together and not at the same time. The time to get ready is different, as are the

       locations. To put on the relevant clothing and to apply the make-up takes between one and two hours. Just before shooting, we have acting and

       technical rehearsals on set. These can last between five and thirty minutes. Or even more if it is a very long scene with many actors and extras. On

       average, filming a scene itself takes between one and two hours. A working day usually lasts until 6 p.m.

005.If you hadn't become an actress, what profession would you have liked: restaurateur or mayor?

       I understand your question, because Catherine in "Death in Paradise" practices these two professions. I myself wanted to be an actress since I was

       two years old. I tried my hardest to become an actress. But if that hadn't been possible, I would have loved to become a dancer, painter, singer,

       gardener or sculptor.

006.In 2019 you participated in the fourteenth season of the TV show “Celebrity Masterchef” in which you eventually finished second. How do

       you look back on your participation?

       That was a lot of fun to do. It was the first time I did something like that. I loved the people I had on my team. I was surprised that I could bear the

       pressure. I enjoyed the intensity and the challenges. I am still in contact with most of them now. They are great people, open minded and with humor.

007.You have already worked together several times with your husband Jean-Luc Miesch. How was this?

       To work with Jean-Luc was like working with other directors. It's work and I want to do my best. I want to surprise my directors as much as possible.

       Our son Jules is 32 years old and he is a great actor. When he was young he wanted to be a chef. But later he wanted to become an actor and also

       write scripts. That's what makes him happy. He knows the good and bad sides of the profession. In 1996, Jean-Luc wrote and directed the tv film ‘Les

       anneaux de la Gloire ‘ in which I have the leading role of a photographer, during the first Olympic games, arguing with Pierre de Coubertin about

       Women in sports and compétition. Furthermore, Jules and I could be seen together in the short films 'Le Grand Alexandre' from 2012 and 'A vendre'

       from 2016. The former was also written, produced and directed by Jules. He is very good at his job and I am very proud of him.

008.What can we expect from you in the future in showbiz?

       In seasons 13 and 14, I will again play the role of Catherine Bordey in the TV series "Death in Paradise".

 

Photo by Béatrice Cruveiller - © Béatrice Cruveiller

 

Interview: Perry Krootjes