I photographed Deneuve for the first time in Cannes, in 1983. She was then starring together with David Bowie at   “The Hunger” by director Tony Scott. The screening took place in the new building for the main events, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, or “the Bunker” as the French nicknamed it. There was absolute mayhem at the entrance: Deneuve was almost trampled, so when the film ended she had to leave the venue through the back door.

I was waiting for her for hours at the Palais, so I finally reached the Carlton, exhausted, to drink a glass of champagne; and there she is sitting at the hotel smoking room, just smoking and chatting!

That was the first time I took a photo of hers! She has always been a very charming woman.

I met Chiara Mastroianni for the first time in 1993, when I photographed her together with Catherine. She acted brilliantly in “Ma Saison Préf érée” by director André Téchin é, where she portrayed Catherine Deneuv e’s mother. Her acting skills  won her a nomination for a César award of the Most promising actress.

Such a sweet, shy and actually beautiful person! Later on, she evolved into a truly remarkable lady.

I remember when I took her photograph in 1997 for the film “Avendre” directed by Laetitia Masson.

This portrait was captured in 1996, when she came to Cannes as the director of the film “Bastard out of Carolina”, the story of a young girl who was sexually abused by her stepfather. Such a shy and charming woman; I remember her intense look during the photoshoot…

So many memories from Ornella… I took some photos of her at the Μajestic Hotel. I met he r at the hotel bar, early in the afternoon, just before I headed to the Palais. “Οrnella, please give me 10’ of your life for a portrait!”; she threw me her well-known sensual glance and replied: “Pourquoi pas?” She turned to her company, excused herself, then we went to the lobby and she asked: “ Where would you want me to sit?” to which I replied: “There” pointing to a chair where she could sit. That was it. I thank her and bid her goodbye telling her we might see each other again, whether in Cannes or in Greece. The next time we met was in Greece, in 1999, during the photoshoot for the cover of Diva magazine!

I took her picture in 1987, when she came to Cannes for the film “Barfly” directed by Barbet Schroeder, starring Mickey Rourke. She is such a sweet, smiling person. Of course, I captured her most beautiful portrait later on, during the Thessaloniki Festival. That’s when she made the legendary remark “Vangelis, do you know you are very handsome?” I thanked her and reciprocated the compliment.

I first saw Vanessa Redgrave in “Ιsadora”, a biopic on the tragic life and death of the world-renowned dancer. I was truly mesmerized. It was back in 1969. I met her in 1984 in Cannes thanks to the film “The Bostonians” by James Ivor y. Such beauty, such finesse! I took her photo in 1992 for the film “Howards End” directed again by James Ivory. A great actress indeed!