Isabelle Huppert Reads Maupassant

In Maupassant’s short stories, ordinary lives shift suddenly into revelation - moments of irony, cruelty and unexpected tenderness. Whether it’s the author’s most famous works (Le parure / The Necklace) or lesser-known stories (Le bonheur /Happiness), Huppert brings her love of Maupassant’s naturalistic language, insightful characters, and ingenious plots to the stage in this tribute to what she calls “one of the greatest writers in the history of literature.”

This is a rare opportunity to experience this celebrated French writer through the voice of one of the world’s most compelling performers.

Collaborating with acclaimed directors across both stage and screen, Isabelle Huppert has garnered numerous awards, solidifying her reputation in the worlds of cinema and theatre. The Venice Festival awarded her a Special Golden Lion Award from the Jury and she was twice awarded Best Actress at the Cannes Festival. She has earned several awards in the US, among which a Golden Globe Award and the Spirit Award for Elle, a film for which she was also nominated for Best Actress Award at the Oscars.

Isabelle Huppert has worked extensively on stage, both in France and internationally: she worked under Bob Wilson's direction, Peter Zadek, Claude Régy, she also played the part of Medea by Euripides, staged by Jacques Lassalle, notably at the Avignon Festival. She is the most nominated actress for the Moliere Awards, the premier theatre awards in France. In 2020 The New York Times ranked her second on its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

The reading will be followed by a discussion with the artist facilitated by Neil Jordan.

Neil Jordan is an Irish film director, screenwriter and author. His first book, Night In Tunisia, won the Guardian Fiction Prize (1979). Since then he has published seven novels, for which he was awarded the Irish PEN Lifetime Achievement Award (2004). In 1996 the French Ministry of Culture awarded him the title of Officier d’Ordre des Ars et des Lettres. His films have won world-wide recognition, including an Academy Award (The Crying Game), two Golden Lions at Venice (Michael Collins), a Silver Bear in Berlin (The Butcher Boy) and several BAFTAs (Mona Lisa, The End of The Affair). Neil Jordan directed the 2018 psychological thriller Greta, which stars Isabelle Huppert as the titular character. He lives in Dublin.

Produced by Les Visiteurs du Soir

Literature programme supported by Cork Midsummer Festival and University College Cork – partnering to create a unique strand of events that feature cross artform collaborations, performance and conversation

Supported by Hayfield Manor

English surtitle translation proudly sponsored by LocalEyes, a Cork-based global language technology partner connecting people, cultures, and ideas around the world. Because great performances deserve to be understood by everyone.