RIE RASMUSSEN - RASMUSSEN TAKES CRASH COURSE IN FRENCH FOR BESSON FILM

Danish actress RIE RASMUSSEN had to learn French for her latest role in LUC BESSON's new film ANGEL-A after failing to convince the director she couldn't speak a word of his native tongue. Besson was so determined to land the former underwear model in his new film, he paid for French lessons and encouraged his star to hang out with Parisienne friends - to master the language in record time. Rasmussen recalls, "I took a flight to Paris... and I submerged myself. I had a coach, and I found French friends." But the frenetic pace didn't end there: "We shot the movie in six weeks. Luc made it for nothing, guerilla-style, camera on the shoulder." Rasmussen will have to put her language skills to good use again in her next film, Human Zoo, which will be her directorial debut - it's set in Belgrade. She adds, "I'm going to learn Serbian."