Vincent Cassel

I've always loved the idea of changing myself, wearing costumes and disguises. It takes you back to being a kid, to dressing up.

All good actors are actresses. The more like a woman they are, the better they act, because a man's salvation is his femininity. Women have stronger sensibilities than men, which allows them to go a bit deeper when they are on and off the stage.

I was much more interested by clothes when I was younger. I'm about being discreet. What they call the French touch, whatever that means. Low profile and somehow elegant without being flashy.

I was a dancer, and my father was a dancer, so I really grew up in that environment.

My character in 'La Haine,' he's not bad; he's unhappy, and usually, people are like that. Most of us are angry.

I really enjoy being an actor!

I did direct two short movies. I learned many things, and one of the things I learned was that I am not a director. It has to be visceral, and it's not for me. I feel much more comfortable acting.

I always had the sense of being in the spotlight, being on stage, being looked at.

The minute I started being recognised, I became much more discreet.

The minute your parents die, you stop fighting them. I realized the more I changed my face for films, the more I looked like him. I always liked to disguise myself because I was trying to run away from his image. But all that is not worth it.

I think I'm actually more vulnerable than people imagine.

I love French style from the Thirties and Forties. French movie stars like Jean Gabin and Yves Montand had so much natural, effortless style.