She was an hour late, but as soon as dazzling French actress Sophie Marceau walked into the press conference, all was forgiven.

Currently in Beijing to promote her movie "Female Agents", Marceau is no stranger to Chinese fans. She has been here many times, including to promote her blockbuster Anthony Zimmer and as brand ambassador for Chaumet jewelry.

The 43-year-old movie star says she always travels with her movies and "it is so important for me to get in touch with my fans on my own".

She admits French movies may not be as saleable as those from Hollywood, but believes her promotion of them drives up their box office value. "I love this process. I enjoy communicating with my fans I will always do this," she says.

Sophie Marceau in her latest movie Female Agents. [File photo]

Though she finds the Chinese character "shuai" quite a tongue-twister, Marceau is very interested in Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai's movies. She makes particular mention of his indie movie "Beijing Bicycles" and expresses a desire to work with him.

"Chinese culture is becoming more popular - not only movies but also art," she says, adding that before coming to Beijing, she visited a Paris exhibition where "there were many amazing Chinese artists' works".

"Female Agents" is Marceau's second movie with French director Jean-Paul Salome. The two first cooperated in Belphegor, "Phantom of the Louvre" (2001), where Salome discovered her beauty and potential. Though the two movies are very different, Salome picked Marceau to play the lead as soon as he read the script. He says the actress has changed a lot.

"Since 2001, she has herself directed a movie and this has made her more knowledgeable about acting. She is becoming mature, and acts better," says the director.

"Female Agents" revolves around a small troop of girls rescuing a British geologist who secretly enters France as a spy before D-day and is captured by the Nazis. Louise Desfontaines, the role that Marceau plays, left a deep impression on her, says the actress.

"Louise is changing all the time. She is an introvert, but is strong and brave. This movie is a tribute to history's female heroes. Getting involved in this movie was very important for me," she says.

(China Daily, May 5, 2009)