An Exclusive Conversation with the French Actress Who Chose Freedom Over Convention
Interview by CITY Magazine VIP
Some women follow history.
Others quietly become part of it.
When Marianne Borgo enters the lounge of a luxury hotel overlooking the Mediterranean, she brings with her an effortless Parisian elegance. There is nothing theatrical about her presence. Instead, she possesses the confidence of a woman who has spent decades on film sets, theatre stages and red carpets across Europe and beyond.
From the golden years of French cinema to international productions in Britain, America and India, her remarkable journey reflects not only an acting career but also a life lived according to her own values.
Over coffee, Marianne smiles warmly before sharing memories that transport us back to the Saint-Tropez of the late 1960s.
CITY Magazine VIP:
Marianne, your story begins in one of the world’s most glamorous destinations. What was Saint-Tropez like for a young woman discovering life?
Marianne Borgo:
“It was magical. Saint-Tropez wasn’t only about celebrities or yachts as many people imagine today. For us, it represented freedom.
As young women, we spent our summers on the beaches, often sunbathing topless. It wasn’t about provocation. It was a symbol of liberty, equality and female independence.
My friends and I believed women should live freely, make their own choices and never be afraid of expressing themselves. Those years shaped the woman I became.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
Did that confidence influence your acting career?
Marianne Borgo:
“Absolutely.
Acting demands honesty. You cannot perform if you hide who you really are.
I was fortunate to begin my career during an extraordinary period for French cinema, when directors encouraged actresses to explore complex, intelligent characters.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
One of those directors was the legendary Luis Buñuel.
Marianne Borgo:
“Working on The Phantom of Liberty with Luis Buñuel was unforgettable.
Later, my big break in England came in 1980 when Carol Wiseman, the BBC’s first female drama director, chose me for the leading role in the six-part television series A Question of Guilt: The Story of Adelaide Bartlett. I played Adelaide Bartlett, and that role opened many doors for me. It led to numerous leading roles on British television and introduced me to a whole new audience.
Luis Buñuel had a unique way of looking at society. Nothing was ever predictable. Every scene carried another meaning beneath the surface. For a young actress, simply being part of his creative world was an extraordinary privilege.
Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced both French auteur cinema and British television drama. Each chapter of my career taught me something different and helped shape the actress I became.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
Your career extends far beyond French cinema.
Marianne Borgo:
“France gave me my foundation, but I was always curious about the world.
I worked in the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany, each country offering different approaches to filmmaking and storytelling.
Every culture teaches an actor something new.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
Yet one country seems especially close to your heart.
Marianne Borgo:
“India.
I absolutely love Indian cinema.
Bollywood has an extraordinary emotional richness. The colours, music, family values and passion for storytelling are unlike anywhere else.
Whenever I visit India, I feel welcomed with warmth and generosity. The audiences have enormous respect for cinema, and that is something very special.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
You have also been active in promoting women’s voices.
Marianne Borgo:
“I believe women should never stop supporting one another.
Throughout my career, I have spoken about women’s rights whenever I had the opportunity. Cinema has changed enormously since I began, but there is still work to do.
France gave me an exceptional foundation. I trained at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique under legendary teachers, including Jean-Laurent Cochet, one of the greatest masters of classical theatre. I later had the privilege of sharing the stage with him in Le Sexe Faible, where I portrayed Coco Chanel. It was an unforgettable experience and one that deeply enriched my career as an actress.
Today, more women are directing films, producing them and leading international companies. We are seeing more female voices, more diverse stories and more opportunities than ever before. That gives me hope for the future.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
You remain a familiar face during the Cannes Film Festival.
Marianne Borgo:
“Cannes is much more than premieres.
It is a meeting place where artists, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and philanthropists come together from every corner of the world.
I enjoy participating in conferences, walking the red carpet and meeting younger generations of filmmakers.
Every year I leave Cannes inspired.”
CITY Magazine VIP:
Where can your admirers still meet you?
Marianne Borgo:
“I love meeting people.
You may see me during the Cannes Film Festival, on the red carpet, at cultural events in Paris or London, and occasionally in Mumbai, where my love for Indian cinema continues to bring me back.
The wonderful thing about film is that it creates friendships across continents.”
A Woman Who Never Stopped Exploring
As our conversation draws to a close, Marianne Borgo reflects on a career spanning more than five decades. There is no nostalgia in her voice—only gratitude.
She has worked in theatre, television, film and international productions, embracing every opportunity with curiosity and elegance. Whether appearing in French cinema, British television or international projects, she has remained faithful to the values she discovered as a young woman on the beaches of Saint-Tropez: freedom, independence and authenticity.
In an age obsessed with reinvention, Marianne Borgo reminds us that true style comes not from following trends but from remaining true to oneself.
Her journey continues—from Paris to Cannes, from London to Mumbai—proving that elegance is timeless, curiosity is ageless and a life lived with passion never goes out of fashion.
