Binoche steps into the unknown

By Caroline Briggs
Entertainment reporter, BBC News

Khan, Binoche and Kapoor were in London to launch In-I

"It's not easy you know. You try releasing the hips," laughs Oscar winning actress Juliette Binoche.

The 44-year-old star of The English Patient and Chocolat is limbering up to talk about her latest artistic endeavour - learning to dance.

Binoche is to star at the National Theatre in In-I - a collaboration with critically-acclaimed British choreographer Akram Khan and Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor.

And while Binoche admits her first dancing role is a challenge, she insists her lack of experience is not a barrier.

"I am learning," says the actress, who has been training for two years with contemporary choreographer Khan.

"Consciousness of body I do have," she adds. "The body is where it starts. If you have a body you can be spiritual."

Binoche is enigmatic about the project. All three artists seem unsure where it will end up. It is not just a piece of dance, they insist, or a piece of theatre, or music. It is all of these. Maybe more.

I don't know the result yet, but I know the path that we're taking is changing me radically Juliette Binoche

Binoche says she is both inspired and fearful, but working with Khan, she adds, means she can "confront and share new desires, hopes and visions".

"I don't know the result yet, but I know the path that we're taking is changing me radically," she says.

Khan is equally excited by the prospect of working with Binoche.

His previous collaborators range from ballerina Sylvie Guillem, to pop star Kylie Minogue, and artist Anthony Gormley.

But In-I, which explores love between men and women, will provide a "first" for Khan when he acts, sings and plays guitar on stage.

He says: "Throughout my career, I have sought out unexpected collaborations with other artists to explore ideas and themes that are important to me.

"The project with Juliette has pushed me in unexpected directions and has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life.

Binoche is best known for her successful acting career

"I think we are both moving outside our comfort zones through working together to create something completely new."

In-I will debut on the South Bank in September, before a tour that takes in Luxembourg, Italy, Canada, Australia, Japan and the US.

The premiere will coincide with Ju'bi Lations - a season of events at the National Theatre and the British Film Institute (BFI) dedicated to the French-born actress.

A retrospective of her films will be shown at the BFI, accompanied by an exhibition of her portraits and poems.

Binoche insists In-I is a coherent part of her body of work. She did not have to make a choice. It is, she says, just another extension of her as an artist.

"What fascinates me is movement and the mystery of movement. Dance is movement. Painting is movement. Acting is movement," she says.

Abstract

The title, In-I, was decided by Kapoor after Binoche and Khan were unable to reach an agreement over their individual suggestions.

It is a shortened version of an earlier working title, Inside Eye, which Kapoor - who is designing the stage set - chose to "abstract" to add more mystery.

All three readily admit the project is a "risk".

Kapoor says: "We're not performing a work we know," he said. "We're discovering something we don't know and hoping something comes out of it."

He says there is a difference between "making an show and going somewhere meaningful".

"Be patient," says Binoche. "We're still on the road to discovering it ourselves."