Jodie Foster’s latest film, A Private Life, is a blackly comic thriller that centers on themes of identity, offering a compelling exploration of personal and cultural selfhood. Released in 2025, the film stars Foster as an American psychoanalyst living in Paris, who embarks on a mysterious investigation that blurs the lines between past and present. This project not only highlights Foster’s bilingual abilities but also delves deeply into Jewish culture, guided by the vision of filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski.
The Film’s Plot and Foster’s Personal Connection
In the movie, Foster’s character, Lilian, suspects that a patient who died by apparent suicide may have been murdered. Her pursuit of truth takes her to a hypnotherapist, whose unconventional techniques force Lilian to question whether their relationship goes beyond this life, possibly into a past existence. This intriguing storyline gives audiences a glimpse into psychological tension, mystery, and spiritual inquiry.
Foster, a longtime student of French, was eager to take on a role that required her to speak the language extensively. She explained that the challenge of performing in French was appealing, but what truly attracted her was the character’s experience as an expatriate.
“That challenge, I was looking forward to,”
Foster shared, revealing her desire to immerse herself fully in a bilingual performance.
The Theme of Expatriate Experience and Self-Reinvention
The film’s narrative probes the complexities of identity through Lilian’s choice to live far from her homeland. Foster reflected on this transformative experience, saying,
“[It was] something about the expatriate experience, about somebody leaving everything that they are and making that decision. It’s a big decision to say, ‘I’m going to leave who I am and I’m going to become someone else. Who am I going to become?’”
She added,
“There’s this idea that you can escape who you are by becoming someone else, a version of yourself. I was very interested in that.”
Jewish Identity as a Core Element of the Story
For Rebecca Zlotowski, who directed and co-wrote the film alongside Anne Berest and Gaëlle Macé, A Private Life is deeply rooted in Jewish culture, which is inherently tied to her own heritage as a Jewish woman from France. The character of Lilian is portrayed as Jewish, a detail Zlotowski believed was essential and
“just the way it should be.”
Zlotowski described Jewishness as a complex cultural identity combining literature, humor, and trauma, stating,
“Jewishness, to me, is a culture. This is the culture I was born in. It’s like literature, humor and, of course, there are also certain traumatic parts. It’s so interesting. I mean, as a French woman from Jewish culture, it’s something that is connected to my family, but also a very interesting playground. It is very interesting narratively.”
Addressing Antisemitism Without Political Framing
Despite the film’s cultural focus, Zlotowski expressed hope that Jewish stories can be told without being conflated with political messages or government issues, particularly regarding Israel. She emphasized,
“I hope that it’s still possible, as long as you don’t carry a political message around it, like you do not confuse Israel’s government and Jewishness.”
She continued,
“It’s 2025. You can deal with homosexuality without it being the message of your film. You can [have] a female character without being a ‘female-driven film.’ Yes, definitely the film deals with Jewish culture, but not about the religion or politics around it.”
The Presence of Antisemitism and the Call for Understanding
Symbols such as swastikas appear in A Private Life, reflecting the persistent shadow of antisemitism, particularly in Europe. Zlotowski hopes the film inspires dialogue rooted in empathy rather than condemnation, saying,
“If there is an impact or a discourse brought about around antisemitism, the return of antisemitism in Europe, it would be to say, ‘[Whether] through idiocy, through ignorance, through psychosis, people continue to write swastikas on our walls, but let’s continue to open the door to them and try to understand.’”
Multiple Ways to Experience the Film
The filmmaker also emphasized the various ways audiences might engage with A Private Life.
“You can watch it on the plane and just have fun because [Jodie’s] amazing and we’ve never seen [her] speaking French! She’s like a superhero!”
Zlotowski remarked with a laugh. She added,
“You can watch it as a culturally Jewish-oriented film about what’s happening in Europe.”
She encouraged diverse interpretations, concluding,
“You can enjoy different paths into it. To me, if we succeeded at that, I would be more than happy.”
The Film’s Broader Significance
A Private Life stands as both a reflection and a challenge regarding identity in the modern world, examining the intersections of personal history, cultural heritage, and the legacy of trauma. Foster’s choice to embrace a bilingual, expatriate character voiced through a deeply personal narrative aligns with Zlotowski’s intention to tell nuanced Jewish stories beyond conventional political frameworks. As viewers engage with the film, discussions about identity, memory, and tolerance are likely to continue, underscoring the enduring relevance of these themes.
