Marion Cotillard is pleasantly surprised when I tell her I have in fact played Assassin's Creed (very badly, it should be noted), the video game upon which her latest film, which goes by the same name, is based. Far more men buy the game than women and although its publisher claims a higher percentage of women play it, it is still largely perceived as a boys' game.
Despite not having played the game herself, she was drawn to the film adaptation because of the darker issues it explores. 'We're asking very profound questions about how we deal with power and with violence, about manipulation, and about defending free will,' she tells ELLE.
We move on to discussing why Twitter seems to so often bring out the worst in people. 'I read an article a few years ago saying that negativity was more successful on social media than positivity,' she replies. 'I'm not interested in Twitter because it's just a few lines, there's no depth about it. People get crazy.'
Cotillard's character in the film, Sofia Rikkin, is devoted to reuniting divided societies, albeit in an unconventional way. This is the main thing the actress wants the audience to take away from the film. 'I think this is what we have to learn because we're stronger united and divided we're absolutely weak'.
I tell her I was pleased with how many strong, powerful women there were in the film. 'There are amazing women in this world who do amazing things and cinema should be the mirror of that', she confirms. 'I wouldn't be part of a movie where it's all about the boys. And as good as the movie looks, if my character is not powerful I wouldn't go there.'
There you have it; Assassin's Creed, the topical feminist video game adaptation. Who'd of thunk it?
Assassin's Creed is in cinemas now
Related Content:
Exclusive: Take an Intimate Look at Natalie Portman's 'Jackie'
