Carmen Chaplin, Actress, Director, Brand Ambassador and the face of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new advertising campaign
Carmen, tell us about your collaboration with Jaeger – LeCoultre and how it all started?
We met when I made a short film where I used one of their watches and we collaborated on a dinner in Los Angeles. I realized that my family owned a Memovox watch that was gifted to my grandfather when he moved to Switzerland. He gave the watch to my father when he was 14 years old and then gave it to my mother as a gift when they got married, as they didn’t have many possessions then. When I told them about the watch they said: “why don’t we do a movie together”?
It was then when my daughter was almost 4 months old and I was really inspired on being a mother, having a great mother and how this watch made it through 3 generations and since Jaeger –Le Coultre is very much about heritage and history, this collaboration made sense.
Speaking about Heritage, how heavy is the legacy weight you carry today being the grand daughter of Charlie Chaplin?
It’s a lovey name to carry.
Carrying such a legacy has its pros and cons.
The challenge and toughest part is living up to that level, which I could never really live up to him. And the positive side is that he made amazing films and he was a genius, so I hope I carry some of his DNA.
What do you and Jaeger- LeCoultre have in common?
We both love Cinema. They restore old films and I love old films.
So we share common grounds. They are a luxury brand that is very classy and there’s always a touch of heritage. So we cross paths.
You focus a lot in your work on youth and messages on looking into the future, what does the future mean to you?
Future can be very daunting! But when u become a parent, a part of you should always look into the future.
People should be more conscious! Nowadays you feel that people are more informed through the Internet where they have a voice. It is somehow empowering.
Time goes by so fast so I tend to live the moment of the present.
How did motherhood shape up your character?
Now am more aware of time, how to spend my time and who to spend my time with. Before motherhood, I was more passive. Now I don’t like relationships that are not clear. I just set priorities. Motherhood made me stronger.
When choosing roles, what role do you feel comfortable playing?
I really enjoy playing somebody very extroverted, someone very different from who I am.
What do you think the film industry is lacking?
The lack of female roles and the way women are being portrayed. Men at 55 can still be having a 25 year old girlfriend, mistress, lady etc.. That is not very evolved. Obviously the way women are portrayed has to be evolved and changed. As a woman, I want to make things more creative. More women directors will be great to have.
What we see today at the cinemas is more of Sci-fi movies, Sexual movies, and documentaries? Do you consider that the screenwriting industry is getting more challenging and writers are out of content with substance?
I think it’s become so much a business that there is a formula on making millions and not focusing on creative things. We lack the movies we had n the 70’s ! It is not inexistent but just the tendency and drive on being purely money minded.
Would you play a role inspired by the Middle Eastern culture if you were asked to?
Yes for sure. The lives of women there are very interesting as they have a life in public and a life in private. It is very rich.
As a working mom how do you manage time?
When my daughter was born, it was too difficult for me to be away from her. So I had to set priorities. You always strive to bring a balance but motherhood comes with a price tag however it makes you richer and with more substance.
What is a lesson or value that you learned from your mother?
My mother was an earthy person. She was the ultimate “mama” she was like a tiger with her cubs, so loving and protective.
A value I learned is that no matter what, she always put her children first and my aim is that I want my daughter to feel that she’s always number one.
How would you describe your style?
I love wearing clothes that will enhance me. Don’t like busy things. I like simple classical looks.
Do you have a beauty regime or tip?
The number one beauty tip would be to avoid being stressed as that shows on your face instantly. The best thing would be to wake up early and find a time for your self.
What is your personal motto?
To be present in the moment always!
Interviewed by Lara Mansour Sawaya
