Joan Chen on Learning French for 'Montreal ma belle' and Her Favorite French Word

Learning French for "Montreal ma belle"

• 💡 Joan Chen had zero foundation in French before filming, starting with basic letters.
• 🎯 Her goal was to memorize lines for the movie, not to master the language systematically.
• ⚠️ She found French a hard language, particularly the pronunciation of the French "R," which caused her jaw and facial muscles to become sore.

Discovering "Bonheur"

• 🔑 Joan Chen's favorite French word was "bonheur" (happiness), a term taught by her tutor.
• ✨ She deeply appreciated its origin from "bonne heure" (good hour), making the abstract concept of happiness feel achievable.
• 🧠 This perspective also helped her view unhappiness as something overcome in a "bad hour," rather than a permanent state.

Montreal Filming Experience

• 🌆 She enjoyed Montreal's vibrant street life in summer, noting the city's charm, murals, and communal gardens.
• ⛪ Out of curiosity, she visited three churches on her last Sunday, observing their history and dilapidation.
• 🎬 The biggest challenge on set was the lack of time due to budgetary limitations, especially for crucial scenes, though love scenes were made safe by an intimacy coordinator.

Insights on Romance and Cinema

• 💬 Joan Chen reflected that Valentine's Day was often stressful in her 20s, as true romance happens unexpectedly, not on a set day.
• 💖 She found it fitting that "Montreal ma belle," a love story about an old woman falling in love for the first time, was released on Valentine's Day weekend.