Kristen talks 'Seberg' and more - with Berliner-Zeitung (Germany)

Google translated.

Ms. Stewart, how well did you know the cult figure Jean Seberg?

I only knew her picture and the film "Breathless". But when you know what this woman went through, one wonders why her story isn't much better known. That I never heard of it seems completely crazy to me today. As a child she campaigned for the oppressed. She fought for her ideals, even if it was dangerous for her.

Seberg campaigned for the Black Panther movement. That displeased the FBI, which from then on shadowed her and ruined her with a smear campaign.

Jean Seberg has always cared more about others than herself and campaigned for the underdogs. It is all the more tragic that her life was practically destroyed by others. I got to know and love her through this film. And it broke my heart to see what happened to her: As a young woman, she had this dazzling radiance, this limitless energy. Life has robbed her of this radiance, and you could see the sadness in her.

Did you find some kind of soul mate in Seberg?

I would say that. She had an honesty and humanity that I admire.

Seberg felt like he was being monitored all the time. Has that become a normal thought for us in the digital age?

There is no comparison: the information about them was illegally collected and falsified. She was bullied, portrayed as insane, so tortured that she miscarried. The FBI even released photos of the dead baby. Seberg never started a rebellion or overthrew a government - she only campaigned for more humanity.

Do you think that actors should be politically active in principle?

I am convinced that it is not possible as an artist to remain apolitical. Art will always reflect one's own attitude. It ends at the point where you censor yourself so as not to offend. From that moment on you only have entertainment. Nothing against good entertainment - sometimes you don't need anything else. But true artists always express their political views. Your work is a statement.

You are not active on social media. Have you given up controlling your image?

I don't use social media myself, but I can't protect myself from it. Should I hide from every smartphone? It would be hopeless if I tried to control what people think of me. The many social media posts tear you into many small pieces. But the big picture is missing. We're all stuck in the circus, unfortunately. The solution for me is to stop worrying about how I will affect others, but only to act authentically, entirely from within myself.

How do you look back on the media madness of the "Twilight" era?

The madness is not over. There are still mad people who follow me for photos. But I've changed and I can deal with the madness more calmly. I used to think I had to find an answer to every question, and I often said strange things. Now I don't comment on every bullshit anymore. I realized that I can shut up sometimes.

But are you politically active?

Sure, I also communicate my opinion publicly. With every breath I take, I position myself politically. If I suddenly supported Republicans, everyone would be shocked.

How do you feel about Trump and the political climate in the USA?

We Americans all have this collective illusion that we call the American dream: We believe we can do anything we set out to do. Of course that's bullshit. This system only leads to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It's so sick that the government is reinforcing this lousy lie. I don't understand why the public still doesn't wake up and see what's being done to them.

Weren't you the perfect example of the American Dream? The 18-year-old who became world famous overnight - and who also fell in love with her film prince ...

Exactly, I was only 18, had no reference points and was completely taken by surprise by the success. Suddenly I was in the center of a hurricane - and everyone around me went insane. Nothing could have prepared me for it.

You seem more confident today. Do you feel like you are in control of your life?

Yes. I can trust my instincts and only work with people who allow me this freedom. The roles are also getting better and better as the voices of women in the industry are increasingly heard.

How do you deal with criticism now?

I no longer allow my self-esteem to be determined by people who have nothing constructive to contribute themselves. I can't please everyone anyway. And at the risk of it sounding insanely arrogant: I don't care about criticism. If someone doesn't like me, they're not my friend. I have great friends so I prefer to put my energy into them.

A friend has been missing since 2019: Karl Lagerfeld. What did you particularly like about him?

Karl was a fantastic storyteller. He saw people for who they really are. His fashion was never a superficial appearance, but rather helped women become a better version of themselves. I have often wondered why he was considered arrogant. Perhaps he has kept an external distance so that one cannot look inside him.

Do you know what he loved about you?

We were united by our conscientiousness. For me it is still an honor to represent Chanel because the house doesn't hire anyone who doesn't suit them. Those who represent Chanel are loved by Chanel. Working with them is always authentic, never a superficial show.

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