In a deeply emotional exclusive interview with Daily Mail, two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster has opened up about the profound influence her late mother had on her latest career milestone – taking on her first French-speaking lead role in two decades. The 62-year-old Hollywood icon, known for her fearless performances in everything from child-star classics like Taxi Driver to modern masterpieces like The Silence of the Lambs, credits her beloved mom Brandy Foster for pushing her to embrace the challenge in the upcoming psychological thriller A Private Life.

Brandy, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 90 after a battle with dementia, was not just Jodie’s manager and guiding light throughout her extraordinary career; she was the fierce protector who steered her daughter from child actor to A-list powerhouse. And now, in a touching tribute, Jodie reveals how her mother’s unyielding encouragement – and a poignant family secret – inspired her to step into the shoes of Lilian Steiner, a brilliant but troubled psychiatrist in the French black comedy mystery directed by Rebecca Zlotowski.

‘My mom always said, “Jodie, don’t be afraid to speak your truth, no matter the language,”‘ Jodie tells Daily Mail, her voice cracking with emotion during our sit-down chat at her sun-drenched Los Angeles home. ‘She was the one who got me fluent in French as a kid, dragging me to those Lycée classes even when I wanted to play outside. Taking this role in A Private Life… it felt like she was right there with me, whispering, “Go for it, kid.” It was terrifying, but it was for her.’

The film, which premiered to rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 and is set for a wider release later this year, marks a bold new chapter for Jodie. Not only is it her first leading role entirely in French since her early career cameos, but it’s a high-stakes drama that sees her unraveling a web of secrets in the shadowy underbelly of Paris. And with co-stars like French legend Daniel Auteuil and rising star Golshifteh Farahani, the project has already sparked Oscar buzz – but for Jodie, it’s deeply personal.

A Mother’s Unwavering Guidance: How Brandy Shaped Jodie’s Iconic Career

To understand the depth of this inspiration, one must rewind to Jodie’s beginnings. Born Alicia Christian Foster on November 19, 1962, in the bustling heart of Los Angeles, Jodie was thrust into the spotlight at just three years old, appearing in a Coppertone sunscreen ad that caught the eye of Disney casting directors. But it was her mother Brandy – a former screenwriter and film producer who had endured her own share of Hollywood heartaches – who saw the spark in her precocious daughter and vowed to nurture it.

Brandy, born in 1928, had a colorful life before motherhood. Divorced from Jodie’s father, Lucius Fisher III, she raised Jodie and her three siblings largely on her own, working odd jobs while managing her daughter’s burgeoning career. ‘Mom was my rock,’ Jodie recalls fondly in our exclusive. ‘She quit everything to be my manager, fighting tooth and nail for every audition. Without her, there’d be no Jodie Foster.’

Brandy’s influence extended far beyond the sets of Mayberry R.F.D. or The Courtship of Eddie’s Father. She instilled in Jodie a love for languages and culture, enrolling her in the prestigious Lycée Français de Los Angeles, where the young star honed her French skills alongside her studies. It was this bilingual foundation that led to Jodie’s early forays into French cinema, including small roles in films like Stop Calling Me Baby! (1977) and Moi, fleur bleue (1977), where she spoke the language with effortless charm.

But as Jodie’s career exploded in the 1980s with hits like The Accused (for which she won her first Oscar in 1989) and The Silence of the Lambs (her second in 1992), the French roles dried up. ‘I got typecast as the all-American girl,’ Jodie admits with a wry smile. ‘Hollywood wanted me in English, and I was fine with that. But Mom never let me forget my roots. She’d play French records, cook boeuf bourguignon, and say, “One day, you’ll lead in Paris, darling.”‘

Tragically, Brandy’s health declined in her later years, succumbing to complications from dementia. Jodie, who cared for her mother devotedly, has spoken sparingly about the loss until now. ‘Losing her was like losing my compass,’ she shares tearfully. ‘But in her final days, she was still pushing me. She said, “Jodie, don’t hide your light. Speak French again – for me.” That’s what stuck with me when Rebecca [Zlotowski] sent the script for A Private Life.’

Diving into ‘A Private Life’: A Role That Pushed Jodie to Her Limits

A Private Life (original French title: Vie Privée), a slyly comic psychological thriller, sees Jodie as Lilian Steiner, a renowned American psychiatrist living in Paris who becomes obsessed with the suspicious death of one of her patients. Convinced it’s murder, Lilian launches her own clandestine investigation, plunging into a world of hidden affairs, family betrayals, and long-buried secrets that mirror her own fractured personal life.

Directed by the acclaimed Rebecca Zlotowski – whose previous works earned her festival accolades – the film is a masterful blend of noir intrigue and dark humor, set against the iconic backdrop of Paris’s winding streets and opulent apartments. Jodie’s performance is already being hailed as ‘magnetic’ and ‘career-redefining,’ with critics praising her flawless French delivery and nuanced portrayal of a woman on the edge.

‘This role was scary in ways I hadn’t felt since The Silence of the Lambs,’ Jodie confesses. ‘Speaking French as the lead? Every line had to be perfect – the accent, the rhythm, the emotion. I spent months in immersion classes, rehearsing with a dialect coach. But Mom’s voice in my head kept me going: “You’re Jodie Foster. You can do anything.”‘

The inspiration from Brandy runs even deeper. In a poignant twist revealed exclusively here, Jodie discloses that her mother once harbored dreams of being a detective novelist, scribbling mystery plots in notebooks that Jodie discovered after her death. ‘Mom loved Agatha Christie and those old French thrillers,’ Jodie explains. ‘She’d tell me stories about hidden lives and private scandals. Lilian Steiner? She’s got a bit of Mom in her – that relentless curiosity, that need to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.’

Filming in Paris was a homecoming of sorts for Jodie, who has long adored the City of Light. ‘Walking those cobblestone streets, hearing the language again… it felt like Mom was walking beside me,’ she says. The production, which wrapped in early 2025, was intimate and intense, with Zlotowski fostering a family-like atmosphere on set. ‘Rebecca is a genius,’ Jodie gushes. ‘She wrote this role for me after we met at a festival years ago. She said, “Jodie, I want your French fire.” And Daniel Auteuil? Playing opposite him was like acting with French royalty.’

Auteuil, 75, portrays an enigmatic figure tied to Lilian’s investigation, bringing his signature gravitas to the screen. Their chemistry sizzles, with scenes blending tense interrogations and flirtatious banter that have critics comparing it to a modern To Catch a Thief. Farahani, the Iranian-French actress known for her international work, adds layers as a patient with her own secrets, creating a dynamic trio that elevates the film’s themes of privacy, identity, and vulnerability.

Jodie’s French Fluency: From Child Prodigy to Leading Lady

Jodie’s command of French has always been one of her best-kept professional secrets – until now. Fluent since childhood thanks to her mother’s insistence, she first showcased it in those 1970s French films, where her youthful poise stunned audiences. ‘I was 14, playing a street-smart kid in Moi, fleur bleue, opposite Alain Delon,’ she recalls. ‘The crew was amazed – no dubbing needed. But after that, I shied away. English paid the bills.’

Her last significant French-speaking role was a supporting part in the 2007 film The Brave One, but it was minimal. A Private Life changes everything. ‘This is lead – 90% in French,’ Jodie says proudly. ‘I had to nail the Parisian slang, the idioms. It’s exhausting but exhilarating. Mom would be thrilled; she always said French was the language of the soul.’

In our interview, Jodie demonstrates, slipping effortlessly into French to describe a favorite scene: ‘Lilian entre dans l’ombre, cherchant la vérité cachée.’ (Lilian enters the shadows, seeking the hidden truth.) Her accent is impeccable, a testament to years of practice. ‘See? Mom’s legacy,’ she laughs.

The film’s black comedy elements add another layer of challenge. Zlotowski’s script weaves humor into the suspense – think awkward therapy sessions gone wrong and Lilian’s bumbling detective antics – allowing Jodie to flex her comedic chops, a side rarely seen since Contact (1997). ‘It’s funny, but it’s also heartbreaking,’ Jodie teases. ‘Lilian’s chasing ghosts, just like I did after Mom passed.’

The Emotional Toll: Grief, Family, and Hollywood’s Relentless Spotlight

Opening up about her mother’s death brings tears to Jodie’s eyes. Brandy’s dementia diagnosis in 2014 was devastating; Jodie balanced caregiving with her directing duties on Money Monster (2016) and The Mauritanian (2021). ‘Mom forgot lines from my films, but she never forgot to push me,’ Jodie shares. ‘In her last lucid moment, she said, “Proud of you, kid. Now go make me cry on screen.”‘

This role fulfills that wish. A Private Life explores grief through Lilian’s lens, as she grapples with loss while probing her patient’s demise. ‘It’s meta,’ Jodie admits. ‘Playing a shrink unraveling secrets mirrored my own therapy after Mom. Rebecca knew that; she tailored the character to my story.’

Jodie’s personal life adds poignancy. Married to photographer Alexandra Hedison since 2014, she has two sons, Charles and Kit, from a previous relationship. ‘Family is everything,’ she says. ‘Mom taught me that. This film is for them too – showing it’s okay to be vulnerable, to speak your heart.’

Hollywood’s reaction has been electric. At TIFF 2025, where the film screened last week, Jodie received a standing ovation. Co-stars raved: Auteuil called her ‘a force of nature,’ while Zlotowski told press, ‘Jodie’s French is poetry; she brought Mom’s spirit to the set.’

Critics are smitten. The press dubbed it ‘Jodie Foster’s triumphant return to French cinema,’ praising her ‘flawless’ performance. Others noted the film’s ‘upscale thriller vibes,’ with Jodie’s vulnerability stealing scenes. Even on social forums, fans are predicting awards: ‘Foster in French? Instant contention!’

Behind the Scenes: Paris Magic, Directorial Vision, and Future Dreams

Filming A Private Life was a love letter to Paris. Shot over eight weeks in spring 2025, the production captured the city’s romance – Seine sunsets, Montmartre mysteries – contrasting Lilian’s inner turmoil. ‘Paris healed me,’ Jodie says. ‘Mom took me there as a teen; we’d wander, dreaming big. Recreating that was cathartic.’

Zlotowski, 44, a darling of French cinema, has been vocal about her admiration for Jodie. ‘I’ve idolized her since Nell,’ the director shared. ‘This film is about private lives invading public ones – perfect for Jodie, who’s guarded her privacy so fiercely.’

The cast’s camaraderie was palpable. Farahani, 41, bonded with Jodie over shared outsider experiences: ‘She’s wise, funny – a mentor.’ Auteuil, a César winner, mentored her on French nuances: ‘Jodie’s natural; she honors the language.’

Post-production tweaks amplified the comedy-thriller balance, with Jodie’s input ensuring emotional depth. ‘I fought for more Mom-like moments,’ she reveals. ‘Lilian’s not just solving a crime; she’s mending her soul.’

Looking ahead, Jodie hints at more multilingual adventures. ‘Mom opened that door; I’m walking through it.’ With A Private Life poised for awards glory – and a U.S. release via Netflix in November 2025 – her star burns brighter.

A Legacy of Love: Why This Role Honors Brandy Forever

In the end, A Private Life is Jodie Foster’s heartfelt homage to the woman who made her. ‘Mom inspired every step,’ she concludes, eyes shining. ‘This role? It’s her gift to me, and mine back to her. Watch it – and feel her spirit.’

As fans eagerly await the film’s arrival, one thing’s clear: Jodie Foster isn’t just acting; she’s living her truth, one French word at a time. In a town full of facades, her authenticity – fueled by maternal love – is the real thriller.