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posted 10-23-2000 03:37 PM         

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I saw this and I thought I'd practice my typing..apologies for typos in advance.

Mad About Ewan by Hilary Whitney
“The moment I saw her “he says “I thought if I can be with her, it will be like nothing I’ve ever had before.” So says Ewan McGregor of the first moment six years ago that he first set eyes on Eve Mavrakis. Mavrakis was a French born production designer working on the set of ITV’s Kavanagh QC, Ewan was guesting on the first episode. It was love at first sight for him if not for her. “It took me about six months to, er , succumb,” says Eve. We were good friends at first-but he was very …” she frowns slightly searching for the right word. “serious?” she says, looking to me for approval. “Persuasive?” I suggest. “Yes” she laughs, “He was very persuasive!”. So persuasive that they married in 1995. Their daughter,Clara, was born the following February.
Eve, 34, is beautiful but not I that over-groomed,blow dried trophy wife way. Rather she has the understated allure of a young Bianca Jagger. She has barely stepped off a 24-hour flight from Sydney, where she has been with Ewan while he filmed the new Star Wars movie, and she must be very jetlagged, Eve has the complexion and clear eyed gaze normally associated with early nights and Evian water. Her face in repose can assume a slightly haughty air, but that is misleading:she is refreshingly straightforward. She is dressed like a gorgeously chic young mum from an Agnes B catalogue:cigarette pants,boots,v-neck sweater,leather bomber jacket,all in tasteful neutrals. Eve is not a natural seeker of the limelight “I’ve never been the sort of person to push myself forward. I’m well aware that there are people who want to get to know me because of whom I’m married to, but I don’t see a problem with it- when we are at home or with our friends we are seen as equals and that’s what counts,”She says firmly.
But it must take all her gallic sang froid to wave her husband cheerfully off to work with some of the worlds sexiest actresses, such as Cameron Diaz and Anna Friel- with whom it is rumoured he was seen sharing a kiss on the set of the movie Rogue Trader- never mind the attention of predatory women who couldn’t give a damn whether he is married or not. “If I let it bother me it would be a nightmare,” she says with a shrug “but we have a good realtionship, so…” She hesitates for a second and fixes her eyes on something past my shoulder. “actually, it does make me very angry.”She draws deeply on her cigarette.”It can be very hurtful when people are so blatant. I really don’t appreciate it, especially as we are married and have a child. Still…” she shrugs again.
It isn’t just Ewan’s behaviour that has come under scrutiny. Some newspapers have pestered Eve’s family trying to dig up dirt on past boyfriends. Yet she seems quite philisophical about the whole situation and confident that the relationship is strong enough to withstand such intrusions.
She accompanied her husband to Australia which shows she has a fairly realistic head on her shoulders.
Well wouldn’t you do the same if your husband was one of the most desired men on the planet? Clara came too and Eve kept herself busy writing a screenplay. “I took Clara to School and visited Ewan on set at lunchtime. Then I’d shop and cook the dinner. Iwas just there for my family.” Family is a word that keeps cropping up, and it is clear that nothing matters to her more. Her own family gave her the happiest if not the most conventional start in life. Her mother was a Maoist who, when Eve was six, decamped with Eve and her sister to China. The girls attended a local Chinese school and learned to speak fluent Chinese. Eves parents were both academics , her mother passionate about her childrens education. Eve was encouraged to study hard for which she remains deeply grateful. Though she returned to Paris when she was a teenager, Eve went back to China when she was 18, initially to work as a journalist. Fate however had different plans. The film director Benardo Bertolucci was staying in the same Hotel, although they were ewans friends first and I met them through him. I’m closer to my own friends the people I’ve known since I came to London 12 years ago.
Eve is determined not to become the movie star wife(the type who rises at 2pm to get ready for a premier) and her design career is still thriving. Another project she is keenly involved in is the Everyman Cinema in Hampstead, north London, which aims to provide an alternative to some of the current film releases passed off as childrens entertainment.”As a parent you have a responsibility to introduce your child to new things that will enrich their lives.” Says Eve. “the other day I wanted Clara to watch a tape of Charlie Chaplins Modern Times. She didn’t want to see it at first because it was a new tape and children can sometimes be resistant to new things. But we watched it together and she loved it and now she asks for it all the time. Although it wasn’t made for children there is definitley something about it they find appealing. Childrens tastes are often more sophisticated than we give them credit for.”
So have she and Ewan discussed having any more children? “We just wanted to concentrate on Clara for a while and give her lots of attention but next year she’ll be five so maybe we’ll have another baby then.”
While we wait for the photographer to pack up, Eve tells me she has to watch her weight since she gave birth to Clara and we discuss how once you’ve turned 30, you just can’t party like you used to. “Ewans the same “ she laughs”He only has to have a couple of drinks and he’s useless, useless.” She gives me a dazzling smile, and with that the gamine little figure who has just annihilated Ewan Mcgregors hard-drinking Brit-Pack image has skipped off back to her perfect life.

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posted 10-23-2000 03:43 PM            

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Loved it! Especially the last paragraph. Eve sounds very cool, collected, and grounded. Where did you get the article?

[This message has been edited by mirawilliams (edited 10-23-2000).]

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posted 10-23-2000 04:15 PM            

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Cool, Thanks for sharing, KUDRA !

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posted 10-23-2000 04:18 PM            

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I can understand why Ewan loves this woman. Bravo for him! The man has taste.

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posted 10-23-2000 04:31 PM            

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Thanks so much, Kudra! This gives such a great perspective on her. Sounds like she led a very interesting life and, of course, continues to do so!

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Are we there yet?

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posted 10-23-2000 10:11 PM            

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She sounds like someone I'd want to hang out with.

But one thing, I think she and Ewan should stop smoking. though I think Ew looks sexy doing it, it will be horrible for him later in life, and both of them smoking is especially bad for Clara.

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posted 10-23-2000 10:14 PM            

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I just loved this article, Kudra. And the more I read about Eve, the more I love her too! I'd like to know where you found it.

I really felt for her when she said she went through that 'post-shock' ordeal, her emotions unravelling 6 months after Clara's illness. How many young women go through these stresses? I know so many.But it's good to see that they got through it together.

I'm so glad that Ewan's found himself a real lady. She's strong, elegant, and still maintains her sense of self while loving and being there for her family. She's somehow managed to figure out the juggling act and made it work. Good for her!

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posted 10-23-2000 11:05 PM            

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Thank you for the wonderful article Kudra.
It was really great to finally read something about Eve.

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If wishes were horses beggers would ride

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posted 10-23-2000 11:06 PM            

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Excellent find KUDRA! Thanks for sharing with us!

Our boy sure does have good taste...

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posted 10-24-2000 12:39 PM            

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That article was great!...thanks KUDRA, sounds like Eve is a wonderful wife and mommy!

[This message has been edited by Babs39 (edited 10-24-2000).]

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posted 10-24-2000 02:08 PM         

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Glad everyone enjoyed it, it was in the Sunday magazine this week of the Daily Express a UK newspaper, I don't read it myself it's a bit right wing but luckily my gran buys it and noticed the article. Eve certainly sounds very intelligent and down to earth, there was a nice picture of her too but I don't have a scanner unfortunately.

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