India Hair
New faces of French cinema 2025 – India Hair
Meet the new faces of French cinema. Unifrance’s 10 to watch were selected by international journalists after making a name for themselves at major festivals in 2024 before breaking out on screens around the world in 2025.
India Hair has managed to build a career balancing both comedy and drama. Born in Saumur to a Franco-American father and an English mother, the bilingual actress burst onto the scene in 2012 when she received the Lumière Award for Most Promising Actress and was nominated for a Most Promising Actress César for her performance in Noémie Lvovsky’s Camille Rewinds. She went on to play a series of roles in film (Staying Vertical, Bloody Milk, Mandibles) and television (The Odd Girl, Mouche, Clumsy). In 2021, earned another César nomination for her role in Olivier Babinet’s Fishlove. She has more recently starred in series Polar Park and The Disappearance of Kimmy Diore. Last year alone, she starred in Aude Lea Rapin’s feature film Planet B., Julie Delpy’s Meet the Barbarians by and Emmanuel Mouret’s Three Friends that played in competition at the Venice Film Festival. She can also be seen in Valentine Cadic’s film That Summer in Paris, presented at this year’s Berlin film festival. Next up for the busy actress is a role in Danielle Arbid and Lucie Borleteau’s new series Sud-Est and Avril Besson’s feature film Les Matins merveilleux.
«I was happy that all that’s considered problematic in normal life – being angry, too shy or too loud for example – were all qualities on stage.»
What inspired you to become an actress?
India Hair:
I wanted to be a dancer, but I was not very good at it. After various hints from my entourage, I tried out a theatre class when I was around 10 years at a local theatre. I was happy that all that’s considered problematic in normal life – being angry, too shy or too loud for example – were all qualities on stage.
What is your best Cannes memory?
India Hair:
I first came for Noemie Lvovsky’s Camille Rewinds in 2012. Being here for Alain Guiraudie’s Staying Vertical in 2016 was an immense honor. It was also fun coming for the opening night film, Maiwenn’s Jeanne du Barry.
Do you have a Cannes ritual?
India Hair:
I always take up smoking again!
Are there any films you look forward to seeing from this year’s selection?
India Hair:
The Dardenne brothers’ Young Mothers and Dominik Moll’s Case 137.
What is your favorite film you’ve seen recently?
India Hair:
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. I was really really impressed by it, I loved the mise en scene and what it reflects about our job as actresses.
What are your favorite films of all time?
India Hair:
The Wizard of Oz, Arsenic and Old Lace, Misericordia and The Night of the 12th.
If you could have dinner in Cannes with anyone from the industry – dead or alive – who would be invited to the table?
India Hair:
Liv Ullmann, Gena Rowlands, Ruben Ostlund, Cristian Mungiu and Kristen Stewart.
Where is your favorite place in Cannes to have a good time?
India Hair:
La terrasse by Albane. And I like nights when I go home alone after being with so many people all day long, wearing heels that are too high, just looking at the palm trees.
Interview by Rebecca Leffler
Photos by Ludovica Arcero
