Juliette Binoche has become more confident with age.

The 61-year-old actress explained that she is more accomplished in her profession as she now feels comfortable enough asking directors to give her more time to perfect a scene.

Juliette told HELLO! magazine: "When I started as an actress, sometimes I couldn't do the takes that I wanted to do.

"At the end of the day, I was replaying scenes over and over, because I felt that I hadn't gone where I wanted to go. I felt guilty and I felt: 'This is horrible.' So critical.

"Now, it has come to a time in my life where directors don't dare say: 'No, this is over,' if I want to do another take. Usually, they say yes, probably because of time and because they allow me to go where I want to go."

Juliette reunites with Ralph Fiennes in her latest film 'The Return' - almost 30 years after they starred in the Oscar-winning picture 'The English Patient' together - and admits that the experience made her contemplate the process of growing older.

The French star said: "The fact Ralph was there, I think it brought depth and emotions, because time goes by."

Binoche continued: "When you're coming towards the end - we're not yet at the end, but we're coming towards it - there's a sense of strength and fragility at the same time.

"That's the beauty of life. Life is a movement, so it feels as though it's going through us. This fine line of fragility of life... it's a strong feeling."

The Oscar-winning actress has urged others to "live truthfully" if they are to get the most out of their lives.

She said: "Live truthfully. What you want, what you feel - don't do the thing you don't want to do. Don't say yes to something you don't want. I think that's the first step. And trust; trust what you have in your heart."

Juliette says it was "joyful" having the chance to work with Fiennes once more.

The 'Chocolat' actress said: "Being on a set, with the camera, is something very specific, very special.

"It's different from being in a restaurant and sharing some time together. He's really involved, and I think in that way, we're very much the same."