Brigitte Bardot: "Without animals, I would have committed suicide"
Brigitte Bardot, 83, published on January 25 "Tears of combat" (Plon, 264 pages, €16.90) a "testamentary" book bearing her convictions, her revolts and her hopes for the defense of animals. Withdrawn to her home in Saint-Tropez (Var), but still very active at the head of her foundation, which employs more than a hundred employees in Paris and mobilizes thousands of volunteers, the most legendary actress in French cinema confided in Le Monde on what was the great fight of her life. A singular life that saw her end, at the age of 38, a dazzling career in cinema to engage with animals. "Pioneer", she says, convinced that the extent of her work will only be understood after her death.
I wouldn't have arrived here if…
… if I hadn't realized the suffering that animals on Earth endure, and hadn't abruptly stopped the cinema for myself. take care of them. Gone is the futility and this world of pretense that had made me so unhappy all these years. Stop! Some thought it was a whim, others thought I was crazy. I did not care. My decision was irreversible. At 38, I left everything for the animals. It's the best decision of my life.
When did this strong bond with animals date?
Since forever, I think. I feel animal. And I reject the human species. She always scared me. It is an arrogant and bloodthirsty species that has hurt me a lot. I was very young when I saw the movie Snow White, with amazed eyes, I think this dream never stopped carrying me. Living in a small house, in the middle of a multitude of animals... Basically, that's kind of what I do today.
But do you remember a pivotal moment? A tipping point in your second life?
Yes. The last film I shot was called The Very Good and Very Joyful Story of Colinot Trousse-Chemise. The action took place in the Middle Ages, there were cavalcades, duels, jousting in a village square. And among the extras, an old lady with her goat. I went to see them whenever I had a break. But the lady said to me one day: “I hope the film will be finished on Sunday. It's my grandson's communion, we'll make a big méchoui with the goat. “I was horrified! And I immediately bought the goat. I went back with her to my 4-star hotel, she slept in my room, and even in my bed with my little dog. It was the trigger. Farewell cinema.
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