She is not a star in the traditional western or Hollywood sense of being a celebrity,

She is a star by virtue of her passion. A Hollywood celebrity might choose roles that enhance their image, but Isabelle Huppert chooses roles that make her vulnerable.

Even though she's a celebrated French actress, she's been in so many distinguished European films as well. Since we understood that she was going to be in New York to perform Sarah Kane's play, we also wanted to acknowledge her success as a stage actress.

Even though she's a celebrated French actress, she's been in so many distinguished European films as well, ... Since we understood that she was going to be in New York to perform Sarah Kane's play, we also wanted to acknowledge her success as a stage actress.

Not only is her body language revealing, but so are her silences, which I find remarkable for an actress. It's how she doesn't say things verbally that I find exceedingly communicative.

In Hollywood, the real stars are all in animation. Alvin and the Chipmunks don't throw star fits, don't demand custom-designed Winnebagos, and are a breeze at costume fittings. Cruella DeVille, Gorgo, Rainbow Brite, Gus-Gus, Uncle Scrooge, and the Care Bears are all superstars and they don't have drug problems, marital difficulties, or paternity suits to blacken their images. They don't age, balk at promoting, or sass highly paid directors. Plus, you can market them to death and they never feel exploited. I'd like to do a big-budget snuff film starring every last one of them.