Fanatical found a few Benjamin interviews that might be of interest to those of you who like Ben, and for everyone else there are some Natalie mentions to enjoy.

First up is an interview with Maxim, in which there is this funny exchange.

You’re engaged to Natalie Portman – which of your moves do you think impressed her the most?
[laughs] I think it was lifting her over my head. I didn’t know at the time, but Dirty Dancing is one of her favorite films. So I think that was a good move.

Then there’s a French article, which Carlotto or one of our other French regulars will have to translate anything of importance.

Finally, an interview with Vanity Fair Italy. After the jump we have the full translation but here is a little excerpt.

I read that you and Natalie fell in love dancing together. It that right?
I think it would have happened anyway. And I consider myself lucky to be in love, we both are, I think. But generally speaking, dancing with someone certainly can facilitate the emergence of a relationship; There are two bodies that move along with the rhythm of the music, there is proximity. The dance communicates who we are.

Vanity Fair Italy July 2011

Benjamin Millepied
Everything Changes

The Black Swan, one of the protagonists to the latest Oscar movie, took care of the choreography on that set and said one line: “no” to Natalie Portman who wanted to go to bed with him. In life, you know. things have gone very, very differently: this interview shortly after the son of the son of the actress and dancer was born. Who here says goodbye to “freedom. No regrets, however,

The strange case of Benjamin Millepied and that of a man who has become the image of freedom at precisely the moment in which he has chosen to lose it. At least in part, and certainly for a good reason, visited that it was to become a partner of one of most beautiful women in the world, the actress Natalie Portman. As well as the father of their child, born two weeks ago.

Yves Saint Laurent has chosen the face (and the swirls) of french choreographer and dancer first of New York City Ballet for a new fragrance from a man who will be launched at the end of the summer with an advertising campaign and one spot. Name of the fragrance: L’Homme Libre, a free man, precisely. A new role, as a testimonial, who arrived a few months after the announcement of the relationship between Benjamin and Natalie Portman.

The two had met on the set of Black Swan Nina’s rather dark story. a prima ballerina so obsessed by the dream of becoming étoile to lose the reason. She was the lead actress (and for this role, he won an Oscar and a Golden Globe), he the ballet choreographer of the film. But during the process had also won a bit part. that of a dancer, of course. And another strange case, his only line in the whole movie was a “no” in response to the question whether he would go to bed with the character played by Natalie Portman

During the Golden Globe ceremony, the same Portman recalled that scene, adding something like: “It shows that it is a good actor, because in reality absolutely wants to sleep with me.” Then burst into a long laugh. When I meet Millepied. shortly before the birth of the child, starting from that scene.

Tell the truth, I will laugh again?
“Yes, actually it was pretty funny. But for both is not the only good memories attached to that film. There are other moments, the tests, for example, the preparation for the ballets. And for me, it was a discovery for me to observe the actors, especially Vincent Cassel and Natalie: to see how they could be one take to another, changing small details in the acting was exciting. I had never witnessed such virtuosity in the genre, at least not so close. To live that experience together was really a unique opportunity for both of us. “

For you it was the first test as an actor. How did you fare?
“The scenes in the movie went rather smoothly, although for the truth, I did not do very much. There were also others, but were cut in the assembly. “

As you know, true, that people think that all, or almost, the dancers are gay?
“So they say in Italy? It is not true, there is a large percentage of dancers who are homosexual, I would say fifty-fifty. They are not an exception: I have a lot of competitors”.

Surely the choreographer played by Vincent Cassel in the film is not gay. Indeed, it is very macho, sexually aggressive towards the dancers.
“It’s just mourning the choreographers to behave that way. If anything, it reflects an attitude of some men of power. Think Strauss-Kahn (former Director International Monetary Fund, accused of attempted sexual assault of a hotel maid and currently under house arrest in New York, ed).”

As you mentioned it, I ask, as a Frenchman, his opinion on this scandal?
“It’s nice to see that for once, a powerful person is not granted privileges. Usually politicians in France enjoy great protection, while the American system treats everyone the same way. I found it refreshing. “

We speak of freedom, since he was chosen to embody this idea. What does it mean for you?
“Recently I saw the fiIm The Tree Of Life. That, for example, was a liberating experience. Terrence Malick (The film that won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, ed) is never conventional, has a unique language, different from anyone else and for me as an artist, freedom means to see and absorb what others have done before you and eventually translate into something new and personal. You follow your instincts, your taste, because in the end that’s all we have. To listen to your heart and do what we are passionate about without worrying about what people think. “

It seems that you are studying to be a director.
“Actually, I have always loved film, I especially enjoy watching old movies, and in general interest me grief that has to do with art, for example the photograph, but, yes, I also began directing small things {Time Does not Stand Still the short film, played by Lea Seydoux, ed.) I like the idea of moving behind the camera, to take control of a story. “

It is also true that intends to stop dancing soon?
Next winter will return to dance for the New York City Ballet. Last year I had to stop because I was hurt. I don’t know how long I’ll stay on stage, but at the moment I’m not going to retire. “

I read that you and Natalie fell in love dancing together. It that right?
I think it would have happened anyway. And I consider myself lucky to be in love, we both are, I think. But generally speaking, dancing with someone certainly can facilitate the emergence of a relationship; There are two bodies that move along with the rhythm of the music, there is proximity. The dance communicates who we are».

Upon delivery of the Oscar, Natalie Portman has thanked you for giving her the most important role of her life, that of mother. The same applies to you, as a father?
“I have had a wonderful life, a good career. Each of us goes through different stages and I am sure that becoming a parent involves a radical change, and this is an exciting prospect. It’s a whole new thing for me and I do not know exactly what to expect. My two brothers both have kids, but as everyone says, you cannot really understand what it means until it happens to you. “

Just no idea?
“I think having someone to take care to put things in perspective. And of course, a child will occupy most of the time I have so far been able to devote to something else, but I don’t see that as a bad thing. I imagine to be consumed. Consumed by love”