Monica Bellucci makes a remarkable return to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. After seven years of absence, the Italian actress presents Histoires de la nuit and speaks with emotion about her daughters, Deva and Léonie Cassel. Facing Marie Claire, Vincent Cassel’s ex-wife also talks about the passing of time and the news generation. With tenderness and humor, she recounts the complicit relationship she maintains today with her two daughters.
Monica Bellucci celebrates the passing of time in Cannes
Back on the Croisette to defend Histoires de la nuit by Léa Mysius, Monica Bellucci captivated attention. The Italian actress returns to the Cannes Film Festival after seven years of absence. In this thriller presented in official competition, she lends her features to a solitary painter living away from the world. An intense role, which she considers impossible to interpret at a younger age. Invited on the set of C à vous, the actress confided: “I couldn’t have played this role when I was 30 or 40.†According to her, age brings another depth of acting. She now enjoys telling “other feelings†and exploring more complex emotions on screen.
During an interview with Marie Claire on the rooftop of a Cannes palace, Monica Bellucci was particularly sincere. The Italian star spoke about his vision of the profession, but also the evolution of his personal life. Today, she considers that experience feeds more into an interpretation than a simple physical appearance. “What’s important is what’s happening inside,†she explained lucidly. Vincent Cassel’s former partner fully embraces this new stage of her career. At the same time, she observes with admiration the arrival of a young generation of freer and more connected artists. A development that she welcomes with curiosity, without nostalgia, but with great enthusiasm and kindness.
Deva and Léonie Cassel take flight
Very discreet about her private life, Monica Bellucci nevertheless agreed to talk about her daughters, Deva and Léonie Cassel. The eldest is already pursuing a career as an actress, while the youngest has just made her debut on the cover of Vogue Italia alongside her mother. Proudly, the actress emphasizes their independence and their openness to the world. Both speak five languages and have an impressive cinematic culture. With humor, Monica Bellucci recognizes, however, that they do not wish to share the screen with her. “I would love to play with my daughters. But I think they don’t want to play with me…, she confided, smiling, to Marie Claire magazine. The actress nevertheless understands this necessary distance. According to her, her daughters seek above all to build their own identity far from the image of their famous parents. “They want to make their trip, and they are right,†she said with great tenderness. Monica Bellucci sees this independence as a great proof of maturity. Now, the roles sometimes seem to be reversed within their family relationship. The actress even says that her daughters regularly give her advice on how to stay “up to date”. Admiring, she concludes with emotion: “It’s beautiful to see the new generation moving forward.†A touching declaration which perfectly illustrates the modern complicity that she shares today with Deva and Léonie.
