Jenifer: the “mother hen” lends her voice to Maya the Bee

Jenifer: My family life has always been my priority

You lend your voice to Maya. Why did you accept this project?

I first accepted because it was a challenge. And I learn through the challenges that I launch myself and the meetings that I am brought to make. I had also watched the original version and I really liked it. I liked Maya, her thirst for curiosity, her carelessness, her innocence and the message of the film. Through cartoons, the child receives a message and then interprets it. In Maya, we talk about differences, living together. It is a unifying message. And then, this film is a breath of fresh air for children and adults. We feel a freshness looking at it.

Dubbing, was it a first for you?

Nine years ago, I dubbed a little character from “Our Neighbors the Men” for Dreamworks. There, it was downright a reset because it was a role in its own right. I had to lend my voice, finally one of my voices. I had to be constant. I looked for the most accurate voice, I wanted to make Jenifer forget so that we only see Maya.

Were you a fan of the petite character?

In fact, Maya didn’t talk to me more than that. It reminded me of a painting of my nursery done by a friend of my mother’s. I also knew the song Maya and the play at school.

Besides, what childhood did you have?

A rather happy childhood. A very present family. Parents there for me. This is what makes my base, my strength. They brought me human values. They instilled in me the right values ​​and that’s also what stands out in this cartoon.

Values ​​that you also want to pass on?

Yes, these are values ​​that are essential for the education of my children.

Your youngest is still too young to see the film. The oldest, maybe a little tall. Are you still curious about Maya?

Yes, he will see it, why not. I made this movie for my kids, my friends’ kids, and all the kids actually. But it’s also a film that speaks to everyone. Even the adult will have a good time, a moment of escape.

The voice, the cinema, the song: what galvanizes you the most?

All of them nourish me differently psychologically and artistically. I meet people and I learn. I have this thirst for continuous learning and that’s what I’m looking for. The endangerment makes me feel good.

Not too hard to reconcile everything with family life?

You just need to be organized. My family life has always been my priority. In fact, it takes a lot of energy, but it gives me the luxury of being a very present mom.

Your boys are ten years apart. What does it change to be a mother at 20 and 30? Did you experience it differently?

Just being a mom changes us. It is an upheaval in the life of a woman, but what happiness! At 30, you are even more aware of things, it’s different. You know, as soon as I have to bring up my children, there are no words. I don’t have the right words. It’s so much love!

Are you a rather strict or a cool mom?

I am both. I demand discipline, but I think I’m cool too. I try to be fairer. And then, I am a real mother hen.

How did you choose the first names of your children, Aaron and Joseph? These are Hebrew and biblical first names, was that important to you?

No not at all, that’s not the reason why I chose them. These are first names that simply spoke to me, that evoked things to us, to their daddy and to me.