Despite her 98 years, journalist, actress and author Janette Bertrand continues to multiply her projects and take a critical look at the taboos of today’s society.
• Also read: “Old people […]“It looks like they no longer exist,” says Janette Bertrand
On October 26, Ms. Bertrand signed a new edition of her autobiography, “My Life in Three Acts,” first published in 2004.
“It’s been 20 years, so I added a few little things — but not many,” says Ms. Bertrand, who is currently working on writing another book, in an interview with TVA Nouvelles, “in case I “I will do.” be 100 years old.”
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And there is no shortage of projects.
“After 100 years, I had nothing planned, but now I have so many projects that will last… I will be forced to live until I am 102 or 103, no choice!” she cries Happy out.
For Ms. Bertrand, getting older is far from a trap, but rather a privilege that allows her to look at things from a different perspective.
“No, it’s not difficult. It is a privilege to grow old. Young people are afraid of growing old, but it is a privilege. For what? Because we have perspective… we see things in a different way,” she argues.
Expose taboos
Janette Bertrand advocated for the situation of women throughout her life and became an important figure in Quebec who advocated for gender equality.
However, nothing is certain, she emphasizes, calling on women to remain vigilant.
“We have made great progress, but it is not enough. It’s dangerous and these steps can go backwards […]. A small law and then we no longer have the right to abortion. A little law and the women go home. It is fragile, we have to be very vigilant,” she argues.
Ms. Bertrand also attacked numerous taboos over the course of her long career, earning the unanimous admiration of Quebecers.
“She is a woman who has worked a lot to give women their place,” said a citizen who interviewed TVA Nouvelles on the street.
“She demystified everything we think about homosexuals,” one man argued.
“She is a fighter. I just read one of his books and it’s incredible,” said another citizen.
Presenter and columnist Jean-Sébastien Girard also recently revealed that it was Janette Bertrand’s television interview with a young gay man and his father that stopped her from coming to terms with his homosexuality at the age of 18, when he was having difficulty living with his homosexuality to commit something irretrievable.
“That’s the greatest compliment anyone could give me,” admits Ms. Bertrand, touched.
In her opinion, today’s society is also faced with new taboos that also need to be combated.
“Right now everyone is talking about transsexuals being a terrible thing. NO! It was in the closet because we couldn’t see it. Now that we can say it… It’s about opening your heart to what you’re afraid of,” she advises.
Listen to the full interview with Janette Bertrand in the video at the beginning of the article.