Noémie Merlant bites into bold roles and directorial dreams after Cannes
French actress Noémie Merlant recently visited the Studio in Cannes to discuss her latest role in Bertrand Mandico’s Roma Elastica. In the film Merlant revealed that she was drawn to Roma Elastica because of Mandico’s signature fantastical storytelling and striking visual style. Her character, Valentina, delivers one of the film’s most unexpected moments when she bites a Vogue Italia journalist. Behind the scenes, the shoot also came with unusual challenges—Merlant had to eat ten Magnum ice creams in a single scene.
Beyond acting, she is now developing her third feature as a director. The project is an adaptation of *Notre Dame de Paris*, but with a fresh focus: the story will centre on Esmeralda and her mother, rather than the traditional narrative. Looking ahead, Merlant will appear in Fred Cavayé’s *Les Misérables* and Arnaud Desplechin’s *The Thing That Hurts*. Both roles follow her growing reputation for choosing bold, unpredictable projects.
With Roma Elastica set to showcase her range, Merlant continues to balance acting with her own filmmaking ambitions. Her upcoming films and directorial work suggest a busy year ahead, further establishing her as a versatile talent in French cinema.
