Charlotte Gainsbourg’s Closet Picks

While perusing our collection, the acclaimed actor and singer-songwriter linked some of her favorite films to memories of her family.
Her picks:
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
BELLE DE JOUR
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
GREEN FOR DANGER
ANTICHRIST
THE COMPLETE FILMS OF AGNÈS VARDA
Shop Charlotte's Closet Picks:
www.criterion....

[@cqtaylor]

I could hear Charlotte Gainsbourg speak for hours. Such a beautiful serene voice.

[@stefanocontardi8302]

Me too. Love her voice.

[@amneziak]

Same. These videos are always too short.

[@steepzy00]

watch nymphomaniac

[@ctrl_altesc]

No kidding..

[@dante666jt]

Yes

[@sohomdas3205]

Charlotte's collection: 1. The Night of the Hunter (1955) - Charles Laughton 2. Belle de Jour (1967) - Luis Bunuel 3. Being John Malkovich (1999) - Spike Jonze 4. Green for Danger (1946) - Sidney Gilliat 5. Antichrist (2009) - Lars von Trier 6. The Agnes Varda Collection

[@edisonescobar8549]

Based list

[@chriswright4677]

You don’t have to type out her picks! You ruin the surprise.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

@@chriswright4677 some people dont want to wait it out

[@valeryplotain]

voilà !

[@patr70]

Yaawwwnnnn..

[@robertluna5737]

Fearless actress. I wish she and Isabelle Huppert would star in a film together.

[@Advent3546]

You would think they would have by now

[@user-df1ns1ob8y]

They should remake Heat starring those two

[@ErenTheWarcriminal]

Yeah I'm thinking something with nuns

[@63MGB1]

Wow... I'd go see it!

[@arianeoudry8653]

I asked Isabelle Huppert once, she said that she would love too !

[@kingmj87]

1. A movie that reminds her of her dad. 2. A movie that inspired her. 3. A movie that she can show her kid. 4. A movie that reminds her of her grandma. 5. A movie by someone she loved working with. 6. A movie that reminds her of her mom.

[@gustavoVAla]

It would have been interesting to hear her say about a movie that would remind her of the loss of her sister who committed suicide...

[@judeinfante1447]

To much

[@whatevershebrings]

@@gustavoVAla No more 'Lemon Incest' for her, eh?

[@oversensitivenipples]

she is a cancer after all.. same birthday as me actually july 21st

[@Whoa802]

She seems like a really nice lady.

[@davidfraser6950]

Man i could listen to her voice all day. Soothing.

[@williamwoods2547]

The second disc with the Criterion's "Night of the Hunter" is "Charles Laughton Directs Night of the Hunter", which is every bit as good as the movie itself. When Laughton directed he didn't cut between takes, but kept the camera rolling, told the actors what he wanted them to do differently and had them return to their marks, then repeat the scene, sometimes numerous times until he was satisfied. When the movie was edited the best take was used and the other takes were cut up but miraculously saved. Years later the 100s of pieces of film without any scene or take identification were painstakingly pieced back together to show how Laughton directed his only film. Fascinating and highly recommended.

[@maximea4135]

Thank you for this recommendation

[@ConnieLynchitzWhoElse]

@@maximea4135 Seconding this. I need to reappraise this film.

[@markmorgenstern]

YES I totally second this. If you didn't mention it, I would have. It's the best teaching thing ever, you actually hear how an experienced actor talks to other actors, sometimes with a loving push that directors who haven't been actors would not dare - or would not have earned the relationship for. I don't know if she knows about the second disk yet, but of course she'll love it too. It's also beautiful and sad that his wife preciously kept the rushes - which no studios ever do. This is a unique and incredible set.

[@harvey1954]

That may explain why he only ever directed one film.

[@williamwoods2547]

@@harvey1954 Charles Laughton's method of directing the cast was not the problem. It was economical in terms of time and and Laughton created a great film. The problem was on the studio's end. They didn't know how to categorize or market the film, and they let it die. Laughton was discouraged and he never got a second chance. It wasn't until decades later that Night Of The Hunter was recognized as a great film. It's hard to calculate what Laughton might have created had the studios had as much imagination as Laughton and given him additional opportunities.

[@kingoftheducks]

So she saw The Night of The Hunter aged 9 and is watching Being John Malkovich with her 10 year old!? Really makes me reassess having to sit through Sing 2 with my 6 year old...

[@Njbear7453]

Lol

[@johnbrowne3950]

She'll probably show her kid Antichrist when he's 12.

[@whatevershebrings]

It's better than being forced to watch Swedish Erotica #27 at age 8, believe me!

[@nelisezpasce]

Is your goal to raise a politically correct person? A free soul?

[@kingoftheducks]

@@nelisezpasce It was just a joke about Sing 2 being shit.

[@emmanueltolteca]

she’s amazing as an actress but her work as a musician is just as great, loved her last album, truly a gem, i love her sm ❤️

[@VeryNotSober]

Imagine having Agnes Varda make a documentary about your mother. Must be awesome.

[@williamwallace5533]

Imagine Agnes Varde Living a whole year in your house filming to your Mother

[@NoirFan84]

Nice. Big fan of hers. Up there with the best actresses throughout the last 30 years having taken on some of the most challenging & intense of roles in that time. She rarely does mainstream films though so doesn't get the recognition she deserves but an amazing & daring actress for sure. Great picks too. 👍

[@toddpinkstonisgod]

@REGGIE JOHNSON …yeah, that sounds rational, Reggie.

[@orbitaljunkie]

@REGGIE JOHNSON Weirdo

[@wendyd_darling]

@@toddpinkstonisgod lol ikr

[@paulb111]

Aren't we required to say Actor now for women?

[@davidsheriff9274]

@@paulb111 anyone that works with Lars Von Trier is not interested in political correctness.

[@PentameronSV]

0:12 - *THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER* _dir. Charles Laughton_ (1955) 0:55 [shout-out] - *BELLE DE JOUR* _dir. Luis Buñuel_ (1967) 1:32 - *BEING JOHN MALKOVICH* _dir. Spike Jonze_ (1999) 2:06 - *GREEN FOR DANGER* _dir. Sidney Gilliat_ (1946) 2:34 - *ANTICHRIST* _dir. Lars von Trier_ (2009) 3:19 - *THE COMPLETE FILMS OF AGNÈS VARDA* [Collector's Set] _dir. Agnès Varda_ *VARDA BY AGNÈS* (2019) *LA POINTE COURTE* (1955) *CLÈO FROM 5 TO 7* (1962) *DAGUERRÈOTYPES* (1975) *LE BONHEUR* (1965) *LES CRÈATURES* (1966) *UNCLE YANCO* (1968) *BLACK PANTHERS* (1970) *LIONS LOVE (. . . AND LIES)* (1969) *MUR MURS* (1981) *DOCUMENTEUR* (1981) *ONE SINGS, THE OTHER DOESN'T* (1977) *VAGABOND* (1985) *JANE B. PAR AGNÈS V.* (1988) *KUNG-FU MASTER!* (1988) *JACQUOT DE NANTES* (1991) *ONE HUNDRED AND ONE NIGHTS* (1995) *THE GLEANERS AND I* (2000) *THE GLEANERS AND I: TWO YEARS LATER* (2002) *FACES PLACES* (2017) *AGNÈS DE CI DE LÀ VARDA* (2011) *THE BEACHES OF AGNÈS* (2008)

[@АлексейВят]

I don't think all these Agnes' movies was in this box.

[@mrakl3]

Thank you for doing this

[@PrankZabba]

If there is a 2 hour version of her just talking films. Then I'd love to see that.

[@babadook4404]

I love how she talk about showing her son Being John Malkovich now that he's ten years old! I was that age the first time I saw the film, too. My mom didn't censor much of anything that I saw and I'd often watch movies with her. I'm so grateful for that.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

The movies she’s done… That’s an actress where getting a look at her tastes is fascinating.

[@Nietzsche_K_Gote]

I just discovered her on spotify like a month back , shes amazing and so is her work.

[@liambrannelly45]

Charlotte needs to start doing audio books! I could listen to her voice until the end of time!!! also, a wonderful, wonderful actor; I've seen many movies with her and she shines pretty much everywhere!! I don't share her enthusiasm for Lars von Trier though, always found him pretentious LOL

[@CarmelaRoseRosse]

Charlotte Gainsbourg is the most greatest talented actress who can play any character and so believable. love her work!

[@shekkeshane7629]

gasped when I seen this uploaded! She is up there in my top 3 actors without a doubt. Loved her in The Science of Sleep the most.

[@Cadinho93]

Nothing brings me more joy than seeing people go to the criterion closet and acting like a kid in the candy store. 🎥👌

[@Johnny-kp9bj]

YOU POST THIS ON EVERY VIDEO. WE GET IT CADINHO.

[@whatevershebrings]

Dude, you need to get out more often. : )

[@SouthdownsJohn]

One of my favourite people. I could just listen to her for hours. Wise, intelligent, beautiful person

[@gjonesx7]

Outstanding actor. What she did in Nymphomaniac was some of the bravest acting ever filmed

[@whatevershebrings]

Reed Hastings couldn't agree more.

[@ukrandr]

She is an actress.

[@TheTurkaderr]

I'm so glad that so many of these actors pick NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. It truly shows a level of talent when they recognize the brilliance of a director who only made one film but made a film that has made such a lasting impression on so many. I was laughing through the rest of the video because two of my favorite films, that I might pick were I in there, are in the foreground the entire time: A FACE IN THE CROWD, and THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.

[@mattbernabe]

Love her. Great & underrated actress!! 'Night of the Hunter' is one of my all time favorites. Love that it was the first movie she picked. Also cool that she picked one of her own films (Antichrist). Really hope Criterion will include Melancholia and Nymphomaniac in their collection.

[@georgerafael]

A delight as ever. So nice to see someone pick Bunuel.

[@craigco6480]

Glad to see one of my favorite actresses doing a criterion closet pick

[@nickschultz3259]

I don't know if it's available anywhere to watch, but she did a film when she was just a kid called L' Efrontee, and she's the main character, and it's just incredibly good. It's got kind of a more subtle Welcome To The Dollhouse vibe, or something. Highly recommended!

[@Celestialrob]

I adore her as an actress. Green For Danger, what a pick, we so need a Blu Ray. Her excitement is intoxicating.

[@ritazeefal4416]

she has an incredibly gentle demeanor

[@looney1023]

She's so cute and charming and funny and then you see her films and they're so crazy and dark and transgressive and difficult. She makes incredible, bold choices!

[@lavinder11]

It's so rare when someone mentions Night of the Hunter. I watched it with my granny and fell in love.

[@mlxlmewq7733]

She smiles like a child at the end. Lovely woman

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER as Number One! The first and only time Charles Laughton directed a film - Robert Mitchum and Lillian Gish are awesome! Charlotte has really good tastes and genuine talent!

[@TheTurkaderr]

couldn't agree more, in my top three films of all time.

[@kengruz669]

I found myself warmly and happily grinning wide from start to finish watching Charlotte Gainsborough here. I am easily cast under her spell.

[@Rigbyreads]

Pleassssseee never stop filming closet picks! I've discovered so many wonderful, important films from these videos no matter which celeb :)

[@curiousworld7912]

She's an amazing actress. I loved her in 'Jane Eyre', and in 'Melancholia', along with many other performances.

[@andgo1400]

I saw Charlotte Gainsbourg a few years ago at her concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival and she was brilliant. She is as good a singer as she is an actor.

[@Goldenwhatever]

Her voice is so soothing.

[@marymitchell8625]

I did NOT know she was Judy Campbell's granddaughter! Green For Danger IS a bona fide classic!

[@lepetitchat123]

I thought it was common knowledge if you follow her family

[@lukess.s]

@@lepetitchat123 I don't think you know what common knowledge means

[@toddpinkstonisgod]

@@lukess.s Lol, yeah seriously.

[@thevoid99]

i didn't know that either but... now i do. i like learning new things.

[@johnhornby7806]

Jane Birkin is her mother judy cambell was Janes mother. Acting royalty.

[@kellenleee]

her voice is so calming to listen to

[@LXS1303]

She is so wonderful. Totally unique in her industry. Beautiful actor! I love her in DA's films, especially.

[@lukewarm5356]

Wonderful actor, quite right to be proud of Melancholia. And Night of the Hunter is of course completely amazing

[@TheTurkaderr]

So many of my friends hate Melancholia, but it's one of the few Lars films that I loved from beginning to end. That one and DOGVILLE, for completely different reasons.

[@stewartjones5624]

gosh she's lovely, and that english-french accent says everything i need to know about our two countries

[@pam0626]

Out of all the Jane Eyre iterations throughout the years, I loved Charlotte’s performance the best. Her interpretation was so haunting and beautiful.

[@pam0626]

@@maxim.j22 The way she chose to played the role.

[@lukess.s]

@@maxim.j22 she interpreted the character in a certain way. shut UP dude

[@dwaynekeenum1916]

@@maxim.j22 he was right the first time he’s not talking about the body he’s talking about the character

[@dwaynekeenum1916]

@@pam0626 I think maxim thinks he’s smart or something

[@jexes23]

No way. Mia Wasikowska was the best by far.

[@joejs7659]

She added so much to nymphomaniac, such a wonderfully melancholic performance.

[@exittiming2789]

Love Charlotte. Such grace and beauty. Great film picks as well

[@charlesknowlton7198]

Great little stories for each of her pics. She appears to be as charming in real life as I thought she would be.

[@BuffaloBuffalo-uc6zp]

What's very nice about Charlotte is that she comes across in a very unassuming way, and she doesn't feel the need to try unnecessarily to impress others, or people that might be around her in any given situation or setting. !

[@tomjolliffescreenwriter]

She's the definition of lovely. Exceptionally talented as well.

[@Haze_OneX]

So nice to hear her love for Melancholia. I adore that movie also.

[@Willismcnillis]

Such a goddess. Surely she was in there for more than 5 minutes tho. I could listen her talk for an hour. Also, it’s nice to hear about her love for LVT. I love his work. Even the films that repulse me.

[@leo-wi9cn]

Shes the best nepobaby in the world

[@mostrecommendedmovies]

0:11 NIGHT OF THE HUNTER - Charles Laughton. “My father showed it to me on this big screen and at the time it was really incredible.” 0:55 BELLE DE JOUR - Luis Bunuel. "The beauty of the film the weirdness of the film and the costumes.” 1:33 BEING JOHN MALKOVICH - Spike Jonze. “It’s quite magically funny and so original and crazy.” 2:06 GREEN FOR DANGER - Sidney Gilliat. “One of the rare films my grandmother is in. This was sort of a family film that we saw many times.” 2:34 ANTICHRIST - Lars Von Trier. “He puts so much of himself and his craziness of films.”

[@peteradaniel]

Charlotte Gainsbourg at the Criterion collection is like someone accessing their home movies.

[@tbarton00]

Is this the first time a guest has picked one of their own movies? Great picks, I love Charlotte.

[@juliaeloy2072]

noo, Anna Karina picked some of her own movies too! 😊

[@gnalkhere]

Guy Maddin picked out his own film Brand Upon The Brain! cuz he didn't have one of his own

[@63MGB1]

All great picks! As soon as my kids were old enough I played Night of the Hunter for them. I think it was a memorable experience for them because it was an occasional topic long after they saw it.

[@dk60ish]

"Green For Danger" IS incredible, one of the greatest mystery films ever!

[@harvey1954]

A prequel to Foyle's War TV series.

[@BaronBirchum]

Showing Being John Malkovich to a 10-year-old is next level cool parenting.

[@lukess.s]

Like 3 or 4 years too young to really get into it but sure

[@milanr.kundera5515]

my dad showed it to me when I was ten, kind of traumatic actually. but a fond memory now.

[@BaronBirchum]

@@milanr.kundera5515 I was 13 and I found the whole experience too overwhelming. One of my favourites now, thought

[@milanr.kundera5515]

@@BaronBirchum lolol. it’s a pretty depressive movie. I picked up on that as a kid. it took the disappointments of adulthood for me to appreciate the humor.

[@ColombianThunder]

I mean, she is European, and Europe is pretty chill about sexual content. They don't take it very seriously. In terms of themes though, yeah it's pretty heavy

[@thomasfranche6770]

Charlotte is really lovely. I first saw her in 21 grams and I had never heard of her and thought she seemed liked a stuffy British woman, coincée and uptight. I didn't know she was French too. Then I saw her in the Science of Sleep and when she speaks French, she's like a whole different person. I really like her in French. Then I discovered that she has a whole career in French.

[@Hoogsniv420]

Greatest actress of all time

[@ItsTristan1st]

There is something really special about Charlotte Gainsbourg

[@Purplenpinkk]

I've only seen one other video of her, and she is speaking French. I've always liked her mom, and she is just as lovely. I see a lot of comments here about what a great actress she is - I will have to check her movies out.

[@MSYNGWIE12]

I adore her voice! Merci, what an iconic lady. I still listen to Serge and Jane. Merci Charlotte for your films too! Love from Canada. I shall check out Green for Danger...Namaste

[@NewtracksVideos]

They should include an onscreen text list in the bottom left corner of all of the film picks as they happen.

[@lawsonj39]

Just watched a Bernard Tavernier film, Daddy Nostalgia, starring Charlotte's mother, Jane Birkin. Love both of them.

[@rnoro]

The one in the very right front: The Virgin Suicides, a very nice film. For sure I love Charlotte very much. Antichrist, love it!!

[@matthewhardy5610]

Your mother was an icon - thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

[@dreamterry]

I love you, Criterion! Thanks for bringing more fascinating female perspectives to the closet!

[@MovieMan-qe3hr]

Jesus. That Agnes Varda set is HUGE!!!!!

[@3until4]

I was so happy when she picked up Being John Malkovich

[@zamiadams4343]

Such an amazing Actress. Great selection.

[@luc7937]

Her hair, jacket, white t shirt, everything is so paris.

[@leonkane8570]

In most of her interviews she comes as a bit shy but here you can see she was having the best time, this was too short

[@ManfromuncoolBlogspotstars]

Charlotte has a really lovely presence. Nice work Criterion.

[@1997residente]

I recently saw 21 Grams. She has such a distinctive voice. 50% french 50% british. It´s actually kinda cool.

[@connorveach5986]

The fact that she’s going to show Being John Malkovich to her 10 year old is amazing. I can’t imagine they’d have any point of reference for it

[@burlcummings5753]

I have both a ten year old and a DVD of Being John Malkovich, so I'm going to try it and see what happens.

[@omelashomelas]

Did any of us have a point of reference when we first saw BJM?

[@ajdmd9526]

@@omelashomelas My thoughts, precisely. Sometimes an absence of context or a deficit of experience allows a person (of any age) to be moved deeply, since all the usual milemarkers are not present.

[@connorveach5986]

@@ajdmd9526 good point. And to be fair it’s arguably the best thing Malkovich has done anyways. Oh, except his performance as Emperor Galbatorix in Eragon…

[@hermes_job_observer144]

I love the movie, but showing it to a ten year old seems like a bad idea. It's the type of "adult" film that gains from points of reference and having gone through life at least a bit for it to properly resonate. Plus, if i remember correctly, there are some rather adult situations, including many of a sexual nature that would add nothing to a child's life but are interesting as an adult to pontificate. I couldn't see anything of substance sticking in a childs mind from this type of not just deep but dark content, except some creativity in the presentation. Might as well make it a double feature with Synecdoche New York, lol! (P.S., i also love this movie, but there is a time and a place for everything).

[@three-e4h]

she is such a special actress.I remembered I was really shocked and nearly intimidated by her acting in Nymphomaniac，which has changed my view of my life

[@magicknight13]

The Night of the Hunter and Belle de Jour are two of my favorites, and of course Charlotte is incredible and truly one of a kind! I love Nymphomaniac

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

Her voice is perfect for ASMR! I love that british-French accent…

[@sullencece3014]

I just love herrrrr so muuuuch she's an amazing actress just listen to her pretty voice oh god her calm tone and voice is like an angel💙such an underrated human💚

[@Sektion9]

She made some great albums too. Especially the collabs with Air.

[@sullencece3014]

@@Sektion9 yes I love them too😍my fav would be Rest

[@patrickmartineau1008]

Watching Night of the Hunter at a young age will leave a mark. Great movie.

[@murdlok]

Love this woman! She’s so ethereal and talented. I was eager to hear her experience in making “Kung Fu Master!” and her take on it after all this years. Still, she’s always very charming.

[@MIOLAZARUS]

If I ever make a movie I want Charlotte in it. She is amazing🙏🏻

[@reynaldkurniawan9424]

Nice to know Jane Birkin will now have an Agnès Varda box set with a Jane B. par Agnès V. inside

[@joeomalley2835]

I love Night of the Hunter. Both book and film are excellent.

[@ransonranga7753]

didn't know she was francophone. what a wonderful surprise

[@darlavillani]

If there's ever a bio pic on Patti Smith, she'd be perfect casting.

[@hamcheese9859]

She resembles Patti smith physically

[@sonholee5769]

Thanks for that. And thanks to Ms Gainsbourg for her many wonderful performances and choices she’s made through the years.

[@andrewwilson3365]

I can't wait till Carol Reed's 'The Third Man' is back in the Criterion Closet 😁

[@ZelindraArkathius]

I never click on these. But this one I just HAD to.

[@2Pii]

you should click on these, Francis

[@ToastersChannel]

Click on Agnes Varda's one.

[@generalmorose3523]

Charlotte is one of my favorites, so beautiful and cosmopolitan. "Melancholia" and "Sundown" are terrific.

[@brandothecatmeow]

Always loved her as an actress had no idea the legacy behind her.

[@Rubin4749]

There is something about her that just *EXUDES* sexuality to me, I think she has an amazing persona and then on top of it she's intelligent.

[@ivbagbroke]

🤨🤨🤨

[@hamcheese9859]

Agreed. She’s one of the most sexiest women I’ve seen.

[@lostsoul2184]

Her vocal tone is true seduction and humbleness

[@hildamontes6146]

Wonderful picks Charlotte i love all of them nice to see you and some great insights into the films you are cloesest to. More pkease soon and longer.

[@txemanovelo]

Kung Fu Master is such a great film, and Charlotte’s performance as a teen is superb! Great picks!

[@awcv1]

dear Criterion these are so qonderful and moving in a way. What a LOVELY idea !

[@alfiesolomons2385]

2 seconds in and I have to stop and say I love Charlotte Gainsbourg...

[@jeffreystrain2651]

One of my favorite actresses.

[@RK-rf8rc]

She has such a beautiful accent and manner of speaking

[@CRAEager]

Loved, loved, loved you in Jane Eyre!