Olivier Martinez is considered one of the most promising actors of his generation. Only 30 years old, he has already acted alongside many of the greats, both on stage and on the big screen. In offering him the role of Angelo in the adaptation of Giono's novel The Horseman on the Roof, director Jean-Paul Rappeneau has helped make Martinez an international star.

Le Journal Français: How did you get the role of Angelo Pardi, the hero of The Horseman on the Roof?

OM: It happened in such a classic way. I auditioned for a film called The Horseman on the Roof. Jean-Paul Rappeneau, who came to see me in a Eugene O'Neil play called Désirs sous les Ormes, asked me to read Giono's novel. Six months later, he called me in to read for the part.... I discovered Giono thanks to Jean-Paul Rappeneau. Since then, I've continued to read his books.

JF: You learned how to fence, speak Italian, and ride horses for the role....

OM: Yes, in six months. I learned the two scenes where I had to speak Italian phonetically. Learning to fence wasn't very hard. As for the horse riding, however, it was important that I be believable. I already knew how to ride, but I rode more like a cowboy than a hussar. Giono's wife and his daughter told me that they wouldn't be convinced that I could play Angelo until they saw me ride. So it was a real challenge for me. I worked really hard and convinced them (Le Journal Français, July 1996).