Tonight on TV: Unnoticed at the cinema, this intense drama with Romain Dury is an urgent must-see

During the German occupation, the arrival of a new priest in a small French town excites all the women… Barney, a young communist and atheist woman, however, could not be more indifferent. A young skeptic driven by curiosity goes to the church to challenge this abbot, Leon Morin.

That pitch is La Confession, an intense drama you’ll quickly discover this Wednesday night at Arte. A new adaptation of the novel Leon Morin, priest The feature film by Beatrix Beck (in particular, directed by Jean-Paul Belmondo and Emmanuel Riva) tells us a seemingly impossible love story with great precision.

A strong point of this recognition ? A duet consisting of Romain Dury and Marine Wakti, whose relationship will fascinate you.

Director Nicholas Boucheriff explains why this novel Leon Morin, priest He was particularly annoyed by:

“The dialogue between this priest and this young communist, both with absolutely sincere faith and openness. I found that in the meeting of these two characters there was the ideal material for a great melodrama: a painful historical period, two beings who are completely opposite and a love story that is at first glance impossible.. .”

“The confrontation of this religious man with this unbeliever allows us to ask the question of what love is.”he continues. “Beyond Beck’s novel, which is the subject of this, every great melodic asks this question.

And from the moment he avoids the classic romantic criteria, the love story between these two characters, a priori impossible, becomes possible, if not eternal.”

“A very powerful experience” for Romain Dury

To prepare Maureen the priest to play, Romain Duris was very involved. “I first retreated for a while to the Abbey of Lerins, on Saint-Honorate, a small island opposite Cannes.”– says the actor.

“A very powerful experience. The simple fact that I found myself alone, in peace, in nature and without a phone, was already the first step into the world of Leon Morin. I attended masses with Latin songs, very. Beautiful… The atmosphere was pure spirituality and very inspiring for me.”

“One of the monks of this Cistercian order, Brother Marie, took me under his wing”Duris continues. “We talked a lot, sometimes while walking in the countryside or sometimes in his office. I could discuss with him certain questions that I asked myself, sometimes very intimate questions. I really pushed him to tell me personal moments. About his life as a priest.”

Tonight at Arte at 20:55.

Confessions: An interview with Nicolas Bouchrif and Romain Dury