What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The best thing that I love about my work is that I can touch people hearts with the characters I act. At least for an hour or two. We all have our own lives, our own objectives, own beliefs, destinations etc… but, for the duration of the show, the duration of the movie, we all are connected at the same time. Whatever the message you bring, it goes straight into our open hearts. In theater especially you can almost feel the atmosphere changing when the audience become child again, in capacity to dream awaken. It is the moment I would like to sow a little seed of joy, of peace, of love may be, of something they can bring back home and carry on nurture long after the end of the story.

What is my idea of happiness?

Happiness is quite simple: someone you love bringing you a cup of coffee when you had a long day, the smile of a child eating an ice-cream, dancing, a poem you read before bed, every single moment you feel proud of yourself, the call of a friend, a bakery from which escapes the indescribable but so appetizing smell of all the cakes. Yeah happiness is simple, we just have to stay in the present moment to be able to grasp it. This can seem naive but I really think happiness is not a state but the choice we have to see colors where everything seems black&white.

Photo credits: Cris Noé

What is my greatest fear?

Let myself be overcome by fear and not achieve my goals.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I happen to be a little bossy and judgmental of others, especially when I feel they are complaining or victimizing. I work on it.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

Woawww the list is so long…

Actress : Viola Davis, Taraji P Henson, Cate Blanchett, Frances McDorman, Octavia Spencer, Kim Tae Ri, Karin Viard, Virginie Effira, Fanny Ardant, Gugu Mbatha-raw

Actors : Denzel Washington, Leonardo Di Caprio, Roschdy Zem, Jun Hae In, Cillian Murphy, Lee Byung Hun

Movie Directors: Quentin Tarantino, Bong Joon Ho, Albert

Dupontel, Xavier Dolan, Regis Roinsard, Cohen Brothers…

Theater Directors: Ivo Van Hove, Stanislas Nordey, Alexis Michalik, Irina Brook.

What is my greatest extravagance?

Shoes

On what occasion would I lie?

I think I could lie answering this question so… I pass 😉

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

As a comedian, learning the lines! Definitely! I would like to have an USB port just behind my ear so I could download them right into my brain.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

When I feel completely connected with my soul. There is no reflexion, just a flow of creativity.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I vividly remember how much I wanted to be taller, I wanted this type of hair, an ideal weight, to look like this or that, to be less sensitive when I was younger. Even today, I would like to improve certain aspects like knowing how to sing better, having a more muscular body, being more spontaneous, less shy. But the more I evolve, the more I learn to love myself as I am. My flaws are part of who I am. It’s not always easy but I’m learning to tame them little by little.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I can’t say I achieved something as I am still building. But I was proud of me when we performed « Vaincre à Rome » last February and a few people came to congratulate me personally and also when I wrote the final version of the script “LEON” my future short film because it is a beautiful story I want to share.

Where would I most like to live?

Somewhere near the sea. I grew up on a small Caribbean island surrounded by water. I don’t particularly like swimming or even the isolation of an island, but facing the sea, its immensity, I always have the feeling of being connected to all the mysteries of the world. Sitting on the sand and watching the rolling waves brings me joy and peace.

What is my most treasured possession?

I don’t feel particularly attached to things. For years, I have worn a small gold medallion of the Virgin Mary given to me by my grandmother to protect me. When for some reason I have to take it off, I usually keep it in my pocket or bag as a lucky charm because it reminds me the love of my family.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Resilience.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

In Paris, there are several covered passages built at the beginning of the 19th century and then restored in the 20th. Now, these passages are full of galleries, small gourmet restaurants to enjoy on the spot or to take away, bookstores with “outdated” editions, tea rooms and for the most part craft shops. I love going there because first of all the entrance is not always as beautiful as what’s inside, so it’s like pushing the door of Alibaba’s cave and suddenly we are completely elsewhere, a magic world. And also there are such beautiful glass roofs that let the light through and change the atmosphere of the place depending on the time of day. Whenever I enter « Gallerie Vivienne » or « Passage Jouffroy » I always get out with a smile.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

My friends and I used to go to a little restaurant in the Marais in Paris called « Les voltigeurs ». It doesn’t look much but they make a wonderful raspberry cheesecake that I love. Whenever we went there we had great time and the waiters are very chill and helpful.

What books influenced my life and how?

Pour un petit chien gris by Yvon Mauffret, Vipère au poing by Hervé Bazin, Bel Ami by Maupassant are books that inspired me a lot when I was a child on overcoming difficulties.

La semaine de 4 heures by Timothy Ferriss, L’alchimiste by Paulo Coelho et Fais ce qu’il te plait by Maud Simon helped me change course at certain times in my life and trust my aspirations.

More recently, Becoming by Michelle Obama, Un bref instant

de splendeur by Ocean Vuong and L’enfant, la taupe, le renard et le cheval by Charlie Mackesy brought me a lot of joy and tenderness for life.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Really? I don’t know. But today I gonna listen Nina Simone « Ain’t Got No, I Got Life » then « Sinnerman » and then Juan Luis Guerra « Burbujas de amor » and why not Yiruma « Spring time » before ending with the Jeff Buckley interpretation of « Hallelujah ».

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Chihiro by Hayao Miyazaki

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My mom, Michelle Obama, Viola Davis, Oprah Winfrey, and each and every single mom trying her best to raise their children.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Searching for happiness , Requiem for a dream, Pi Odyssey, Little miss sunshine… so many!

What role play stories in my life and work?

Stories are my life. Those I talk about, those I hide, those that arise unconsciously, those that I tell myself, those that I act, those that I write and all those to come…

Photo credits: Claudine Barat

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

1000% agree. We don’t choice the circumstances but we can choose the way we deal with them.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My greatest fan ever was my mom. She had been with me into every steps I took, and when I decided to stop my chemical engineering carrer to embrace my artistic dream, she just said « I am here darling, do whatever you want, I’ll follow ». I know how parents approval is important as an artist. So I can say I was blessed. And now that she is not in this world anymore, I am still supported by her each time I perform, each time I write, each time it’s not as easy as I want, each time I grow, each time I turn around and each time I do my best.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2022?

I would like to work on the next feature films of the directors Gessica Généus, Albert Dupontel and Regis Roinsard. Also I am looking forward working with the production companies « Les artisans du film » and « Eloa production » in order to begin the filmmaking of « Leon » my second short-film and « When the time goes by » my first serial.

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on?

In 2022, I really would like to work on projects where I can use my full potential as an actress. A character which makes me go beyond myself like Rose Maxson in Fences or Ruth Langmore in Ozark. A strong female figure. Yeah.

Where can you see me or my work in 2022?

« Les couleurs du court métrage » organized by Faisceau convergent – April 16th and 17th – Espace culturel d’Anglemont à Les Lilas.

« Vaincre à Rome » directed by Thierry Falvisaner –

– May, 4th to 6th – Orléans

– August 4th to 6th – Festival de Créhen en Bretagne

– August 11th to 14th – Festival de Saint Amans à Agen

– September 26th to 30th – Orléans.

« Le voyage en pirogue » directed by Marie Lecocq – May, 21rst, 2022 – M.E.G. (Ethnographic museum of Geneva)

«  Muet comme une carpe «  by Tom Dodey – Shortfilm

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

I think the purpose of my life is to follow my dreams. I want to die without regrets. When you love something just do it whatever how long it takes, whatever people say, whatever the cost is my credo. It is easier to say than do everyday but I keep the north as much as I can.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?

Marie Lecocq : https://www.facebook.com/cie.sans.n

Luna Ribeiro : https://www.facebook.com/luna.ribeiro.75

Claudine Clodelle https://www.facebook.com/Clodelle2

Ema Martin https://www.facebook.com/ema.martins.3701

Angela Burt: https://www.facebook.com/angela.burt.12

How can you contact me?

Instagram : #ganne.raymond

Facebook : @ganne.raymond

Website : www.ganneraymond.fr