Marion: Winning Bafta is surreal

10/02/2008

The award to the person most delighted to receive a Bafta had to go to Marion Cotillard.

The French actress said backstage: "I'm absolutely shocked, totally shocked. I'm so happy. It's totally surreal. I'm very emotional, I'm so happy."

Holding back tears, the emotional actress, who was wearing a Chanel dress, said: "I didn't prepare anything onstage. I think I was just a mess. I don't even remember what I said.

"I love British cinema and British actors. I'm so happy. I don't know what Edith Piaf would think about this. I hope she would be happy.

"Edith Piaf shared so much passion. She shared her life, her emotion with people through her songs and they are still out there. They are very much there.

"I'm so happy that the movie was a success here. You can't expect a French movie to be a success here or even in France.

"You can't expect something like this when shooting a French movie. I was so honoured to be nominated among those actresses."

© 2008 The Press Association Limited

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