After the first class, which attracted more than 130,000 curious people when it was released in July 2019, director Stefan Ben Lahzene is back behind the camera with Karaoke. After the world of school, this time it brings us to the side of singing!
After an evening of excess, Bénédicte (Michel Laroque), a famous opera singer, finds his career in tatters. Fatou (Claudia Tagbo), a karaoke lover, is the only one who appeals to him. He comes up with an idea: to convince Benedict to participate in the Grand National Karaoke. The sheer vocal prowess of one and the tenacity of the other can light sparks and take them very far.
It’s a happy movie
This comedy was born from Stefan Ben Lahsen’s dual desire to make a funny film that takes place in a competition environment and unites two worlds that have nothing to do with each other. “In particular, the popular one where I come from and the more privileged one that I’ve known since I started working in film.”
The filmmaker collaborates with Michel Laroque for the second time after First Class. He also wrote two of his own plays, All at Home and So We Dance: “I imagined that he could play this great artist like Benedict. So I never thought of anyone but him. And when I sent the story to him, he was immediately ready.”indicates the director.
A crazy duo
Stefan Ben Lahsen decided to create a completely opposite duo by hiring Claudia Tagbo opposite Michel Laroque. As soon as he wrote the script, he thought of a comedian. While he was starting the Karaoke script, the filmmaker received a message from Michel Laroque, accompanied by a selfie with Claudia, taken during the festival.
During this meeting, the former announced to the latter that they were going to participate in a film in the coming months. Therefore, through Michel Laroque, Claudia Tagbo learned that Ben Lassen was writing the role for her.
“They hit it off very well right away, especially since they wanted to work together, and the connection was instant. The planets aligned perfectly. In the readings we did, including with the actors, I saw that it was a perfect match.”The director confides.
Michelle and Claudia vote?
Michelle LaRocque and Claudia Tagbo actually sing in the movie! The former, as a member of the Enfoirés troupe, has already given voice on stage, while the latter has appeared in the musical Ghost and also in the comedy Yo Mama.
The songs were recorded before filming, but the actors actually sang them on set. Michelle Larocque was accompanied by Carolyn Fevre, a teacher of lyrical singing. He and Claudia Tagbo also worked with Adeline Toniuti, a singing teacher at Star Academy, who appears on screen in the World Cup jury in Japan.
Karaoke hits theaters on March 20.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
