Natalie Portman’s husband Benjamin Millepied, 45, is stepping into the limelight with his feature directorial debut, Carmen.
The film is based on the classical opera by George Bizet, first performed in Paris in 1875.
Millepied’s version is a modern, reimagined take on the beloved story with new original music.
In an interview with Peoplethe first time the director admitted to getting some advice from his wife before stepping behind the camera.
“I also think she’s on set hearing what sparks her creativity, [as] a director, was something I’d heard,” he insisted.
Directorial debut: Natalie Portman’s husband, Benjamin Millepied, 45, is stepping into the limelight with his feature directorial debut, Carmen. The film is based on George Bizet’s classic opera first performed in Paris in 1875 (pictured in March in Los Angeles)
“It certainly taught me a lot.”
‘I found it all very exciting to make; this choice of camera and creating and finding the right frame and finding the right image was exciting.”
Natalie, 41, self-directed in 2015’s Love and Darkness, a project for which she also co-wrote the script.
The Oscar winner also helmed a segment of 2008’s New York I Love You, the short film Eve, and the 2022 music video Haute Saison.
The pair first met on Black Swan in 2010.
Benjamin worked as a ballet choreographer in the psychological drama and portrayed The Prince in the ballet scenes.
The pair formed a love bond while on set and welcomed their son, Aleph, 12 in 2011 and married in 2012.
They also share a six-year-old daughter, Amalia.
Benjamin, Natalie and their children were together in Australia in 2021, where Carmen was shot.
Advice: Benjamin said he got some advice from Natalie, 41, while making his first feature film, telling People, “I think he’s also on set hearing what sparks her creativity, [as] a director, was something I had heard’
Black Swan: The pair first met on 2010’s Black Swan. Benjamin worked as a ballet choreographer in the psychological drama and portrayed The Prince in the ballet scenes. The couple married in 2012 and have two children together
Contemporary: Melissa Barrera, 32, stars as the title character. In this modern version of the classic story, Carmen is forced to leave her home in Mexico after her mother is murdered
Marine: Paul Mescal, 27, plays Carmen’s love interest, Aidan, a Marine with PTSD
Melissa Barrera, 32, and Paul Mescal, 27, star in this tale of star-crossed lovers.
In this modern version, Melissa’s Carmen is forced to flee her home in Mexico after her mother’s murder. She is caught trying to enter the US and there she meets Paul’s Aidan, a Marine with PTSD.
The French-born director said he hopes audiences won’t just be moved by Carmen’s “longing for freedom” and Aidans’ journey as a Marine… what it’s like for these men to come back with so much trauma that their lives have been taken for granted. always has changed,’ but through their love story.
And the fact that two people from completely different backgrounds fall completely in love and leave behind something special about where they came from and who they are. [They] find the beauty and sincerity of their love.’
Carmen celebrated its Hollywood premiere on Thursday and opened in select theaters on Friday.
Original Music: Carmen boasts original music. Benjamin says he hopes audiences will identify with the characters and that they “find the beauty and the sincerity of their love”
Exciting: The director said he ‘found it all really exciting to make; this choice of camera and creating and finding the right frame and finding the right image was exciting.” Carmen was shot in Australia in 2021 and was released in theaters on Friday