First lady Bruni makes debut in Woody’s film

FRANCE’S first lady is making her debut as an actress, filming this week in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.

Even former supermodel turned songstress Carla Bruni’s busy husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, was not about to miss the action. He showed up on the Left Bank set, in dark suit but without tie, to watch her latest creative venture.

Allen, beloved by the French, recruited Bruni last year for what is said to be a small role in the romantic comedy which follows a family travelling in Paris for business. She plays a museum director.

The scenes were shot in the heart of the Left Bank, near the Pantheon, the resting place of many of France’s luminaries.

When she announced her acceptance of Allen’s offer of a role, the 42-year-old said she was unsure of her acting skills.

“I’m not at all an actress. Maybe I’ll be absolutely terrible,” she said.

However, she said she could not pass up the chance to play in a Woody Allen film.

“I’d like to — you know — when I’m a grandmother, to have done a Woody Allen film,” said Bruni.

She had a small role in the 1994 Robert Altman film Pret-a-Porter and the 1998 move Paparazzi, by Alain Berberian, each time playing herself.

Allen is clearly a fan of the first lady.

When he was asked what famous person he would like to see act, the Dalai Lama or the Queen, he replied: “Carla Bruni.”