Eva Green

I play the piano. I bought an upright piano that is actually electric, so I can practice my scales with headphones on and not make my neighbours' lives hell!

We all show facets, to your mother, or to your boyfriend, or a friend. You're always a bit different.

Life's too short to wear high heels.

In this business actors who have Botox or surgery make you very aware of age. It's awful.

I am a dreamer. Seriously, I'm living on another planet.

Some people collect butterflies - I love beetles.

A lot of the films now are more focused on the visuals than on the actors. I think all directors should go to drama school.

My mother did movies from the New Wave, but I was quite shocked I didn't know much about that period. Bernado showed us film of the demonstrations of the time.

Everyone wants to work in America. Maybe not blockbusters or Terminator, but to have the choice.

I'm worried because of my mother, she's going to see my performance and she's quite hard. She's going to see me naked. And my Dad, woah. Yeah, they're going to see me like a woman, you know?

When I'm at an event, I like to be an eccentric dresser. I will just keep wearing what I like.

For me, working out is nothing to do with looks. It's to let it all out - the stress, the self-consciousness - you think less; it makes you more centred.

When I'm not working, I just like to be comfortable: I love black, nothing tight, no heels, no make-up - it's nice to be able to breathe!

I don't like flirting, and when I love someone, I always give everything, maybe too much. And then you have to work at it all the time. I mean, the first months are always great, but afterwards it becomes hard work. It's not as passionate and crazy.

I don't wear base, as I don't like to cover up my freckles, but I couldn't live without YSL Touche Eclat for hiding my under-eye circles. I love the smoky-eye look, so I use Dior's 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Night Dust and lashings of mascara. I finish with a dash of bronzer for a healthy glow.

I love the musicality of English. French sounds flat. In English, you can play with pitch.

I didn't want to do 'Casino Royale' when they told me to audition. I said no. Then they sent me the script, and I thought it was actually very interesting - and I had no other work at the time.

I would love to play an unexpected character. Really raw and simple and not a cliche - something rugged. People like to put actors in boxes.

My mother is an actress and very well known in France; hence, I move to London to start my own life.

When people say 'You're so beautiful' it makes me want to kill myself! As an actress you want to be seen for what you do, for the characters you can play, otherwise I'd be a model.

Lots of shy people dress a bit too much. It's just kind of an armour. People say the same thing about me.

I'm not really involved with politics... I'm living in my cocoon with my classical music around.

I love Ireland. I feel very at peace there. It's just magical and beautiful.

I'm French, so I'm quite lazy about exercising, and I smoke. But I do love going for a run in the morning with my dog. That's all.

For Tim Burton's birthday I gave him a rainbow beetle. He loved it!