Jean Dujardin, 'The Artist's' Quiet Star, on American Audiences and Uggie your dog

It's ironic that George Clooney's greatest competition in the Oscars for the best Actor might be Jean Dujardin. In the end, Dujardin -- probably the most popular stars in France, with 23 film credits to his title -- has already been being referred to by some as "in france they George Clooney." Like the dashing 39-year-old has got the looks and charm of the matinee idol -- or Clooney, 2011's nearest factor to some matinee idol. It is also why Dujardin is the best option to lead 'The Artist,' in france they import that's already the talk of Oscar season -- despite the fact that it's completely quiet. Directed by Michel Havazancius, 'The Artist' informs the storyline of quiet film star George Valentin (Dujardin, who won Best Actor honors in the Cannes Film Festival captured), a titan of industry who ends up around the outdoors searching in whenever a new industry, talkies -- embodied onscreen by Berenice Bejo's Peppy Burns -- removes his livelihood. The quiet film (also is in black and whitened) is really a love letter to Old Hollywood and also the miracle of movies, an ideal antidote to some world where 'Jack and Jills' and 'Tower Heists' routinely hit the giant screen. Dujardin spoke to Moviefone, via his interpreter, about filming 'The Artist,' the variations between French and American audiences, and Uggie your dog. 'The Artist' is clearly no easy sell. Could it have been a hardship on Michel to convince you it was advisable for the career? The very first time he pointed out it, I stated yes. Then, I'd a large doubt as it were. I wasn't sure whatsoever basically must do it, simply because I did not know enough about this. Michel stated, "You are the one that needs to get it done nobody else can perform this. I authored it for you personally. I can not pressure you, but..." I known as back and stated, "Pardon me. I am thinking like another person. Obviously, I am going to get it done.Inch For me personally, I loved it. I simply want to make quiet movies now. [Laughs] That which was it concerning the experience that actually made you fall deeply in love with the quiet format? Michel had the background music survive set. That, to have an actor, multiples your feelings. It is the only film it can be done in. You are live. Within the movie, you are live. You are already within the editing from the movie throughout. He'd placed on music in line with the scene. It had been 35 incredible days. You are a significant star in France, but a novice to American audiences. Do you consider that mystery helps the film whatsoever? Yes, absolutely. There is no judgement or expectation. They do not know Berenice, Michel or me. They are beginning from nothing. In Cannes, it had been exactly the same factor. It is extremely comfortable. There is no pressure. It's all regulated pleasure. Individuals are kind once they begin to see the movie... But does that frustrate you -- needing to maybe prove yourself once again to a different audience? No, since the jobs are done. It's on screen. Used to do my job. After, I'm able to explain it. It needs to be wondrous. I'm not going everybody to love me, and that i don't choose who likes me. You need to provide them with the option, provide them with the choice. Vincent Cassel involves mind like a French actor who stars in films both here and abroad. Does that kind of career appeal to you? Would you like to star in American films? It would need to be considered a role that's for me personally. It is the encounter, using the director and also the story, that counts. It comes down to the associations -- a persons associations. It isn't in regards to a Hollywood machine. I wish to make use of a director who becomes my buddy, my dad, for 2 several weeks. You allow yourself to that individual. Like, in France, you refuse to numerous items to have real yeses. You've labored with Michel three occasions now, so you have clearly discovered that great human relationship. What exactly is it about him that keeps you returning? He's very calm. He never yells. Not once in three films together. He's reassuring. He's anxious, but he keeps it to themself -- he's elegant for the reason that way. He's a tough worker and that he jokes around a great deal. So if you have both, it is good. Your previous films with Michel -- the 'OSS 117' films -- were parodies. 'The Artist' might have easily drifted into that arena, however it will not do. How difficult could it have been to keep the tonal balance? Not to allow it to be an excessive amount of a goof? Michel wanted two tales. His idea ended up being to develop the smoothness at first from the movie -- the film inside the film, the Douglas Fairbanks references. However it wouldn't have organized to have an hour and half. So, it went to some more 'City Girl,' F.W. Murnau type of story. Just telling a tale. That's cinema. It isn't quiet, black and whitened. It is a simple story that's well-crafted. 'The Artist' has been doing perfectly in the French box office, but there's some question about whether or not this will interact with American audiences. Do you consider there's that a distinction between the 2? Maybe in france they tend to be more cineastes. People in america tend to be more relaxed. Films really are a spectacle [to People in america]. Entertainment. Here, people comment live. They laugh. They live it. This is the best gift you could have. In France ... it isn't more intellectual, but there's a bit more judgement. To become relaxed is much more of the problem. It's much more of a modesty. It's more prudish -- but it is not the sexual side of prudish. More modesty. There is a distance. I must mention Uggie your dog, who had been nearly my personal favorite onscreen dog ever he's like George's right arm within the film. The length of time did you need to place in to create that relationship work? I understood it was an additional value towards the project, and that he is really a part of George's existence. They're Siamese twins. It had been really really simple to utilize Uggie, because he's a very properly trained dog. Very gifted. I simply needed to follow him a bit, improvise a bit. Sometimes he'd follow me. Especially due to the sausages I'd during my pocket. [Laughs] 'The Artist' comes to limited release on November. 25. Return to Moviefone for additional in the film's key gamers in a few days. [Photo: TWC] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook