To mark the release of DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT actress Léa Seydoux reflects on her experience of working in video games and how her character, Fragile, evolves in the new cut. Fragile epitomizes calm and control against the backdrop of a devastated landscape. In DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT, Fragile helps Sam navigate a dangerous new world after the cataclysmic “Death Stranding” event occurs. Fragile teaches Sam to stand still, hold his breath and listen, rather than charging ahead in the face of danger, in order to survive. 

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT expands and develops Fragile’s journey, revealing more about her intricate backstory. 

For Léa Seydoux, the experience of playing Fragile has been life-changing and she is delighted by the odyssey her character undertakes. Seydoux argues that the depth of Fragile’s story lends itself more to literature or poetry than what you’d expect from gaming.  She argues that Kojima’s multifaceted characters like Fragile act as a poetic metaphor for our times; our own fragile and changing world. In this interview, Seydoux, explains how DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT is not just a video game but a new form of art.

Can you tell us the story of how you came to work on DEATH STRANDING? 

"I heard about this totally revolutionary project that straddles cinema and video games and the idea of ​​being a game character immediately appealed to me. I found the idea to be extremely modern and poetic. Hideo Kojima is a great cinephile who brings a lot of poetry to this universe." 

What was it like working with Hideo Kojima?  

"Hideo Kojima is great to work with. As we are both passionate about cinema, it allows us to share the same language and a lot of commonalities despite being from different cultures and backgrounds."

How did you prepare for the role and the character? 

"Gaming was new to me, so I worked with my American coach to better contextualize the game and fully understand the various technical terms and the world of DEATH STRANDING and its mechanics."

What did you find was the biggest difference between acting for film and acting for games? Do you have a preference? 

"Surprisingly the two are very similar. I loved playing Fragile, because, as a character, she has a vulnerability and a fragility that required a highly emotional, yet subtle response." 

What got you into acting? Was this career always a dream of yours? 

"Cinema has always made me dream and I cannot live without cinema. I need cinema as a spectator just as I need to express myself through cinema as an actress. Cinema helps me to understand the world. It presents life as literature or art." 

If you could go back in time and give any advice to yourself at the start of your career, what would it be? 

"To have more self-confidence and not to ask the wrong questions, but it is through experience that we build and learn, it is necessary."

Who has been your biggest inspiration? 

"Childhood is a source of inspiration to draw from, and creativity is linked to childhood. I try to feel close to the child inside.2

What are the main things that have stayed with you from portraying the role of Fragile in the game? 

"Her short haircut! I love it!"

What has stayed with you from the experience of working on DEATH STRANDING? 

"The work was really groundbreaking and ahead of its time. I see a common future for film and video games in this sort of blended form. I also like to be where you don't expect me, in a gaming world." 
 

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT will be arriving on PC on March 30th 2022. For more information click here.

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT is now available for PS5, for more information click here.