Charlotte Gainsbourg: I'm uneasy

Charlotte Gainsbourg has felt uncomfortable for many years.

The Anglo-French actress has made a name for herself in the movie industry by taking on taboo subjects in her work.

The roles she chooses are no coincidence though; Charlotte often finds herself drawn to women in dark places.

"I've been uncomfortable for many, many years. I feel less uncomfortable… I think it's easier for me now. But I relate to being unstable,” she told British newspaper The Independent. “I don't know why."

Charlotte was born into an A-list lifestyle; her mum is British actress Jane Birkin and her father is late French singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.

Departing from her dark roots, the 43-year-old’s latest movie, Samba, is much more light hearted – although there is still a more serious undertone.

Samba tells the story of an illegal immigrant (Omar Sy) who works lowly jobs in Paris as he lives with his uncle. He meets Alice, played by Charlotte, during his struggle to avoid deportation.

“I know people don't think of me as somebody very funny!" Charlotte smiled. “I like relating to some kind of uneasiness. Even in a comedy, it's quite nice to be able to have a dark side."

“That was very challenging. That's not my nature. I love comedies, but I haven't done many. But suddenly you think, 'Why don't I do this more often?' You're meant to have fun! And it's so light. It's something very jolly."

One of Charlotte’s most famous roles was in Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac. The movie received widespread press due to the graphic nature of the sex scenes, but Charlotte barely batted an eyelid.

“The sex was not shocking at all. It's necessary for that story; that's what we need to see. I saw a lot of beauty inside the brutality and inside the crudeness of the sex he's showing,” she admitted.