Is 7 Years Alone in the Woods: The Brothers, with Mate Kasowitz and Ivan Atal, based on a true story?

In cinemas on April 24, Frères tells the story of two little boys, Michel and Patrice, aged 5 and 7. In 1948, their mother abandoned them and ran away to the forest. They survive there for 7 years and form a bond that will unite them forever.

Decades later, two brothers leave everything behind to find each other. But the past and secrets haunt them, even on the other side of the world. Directed by Olivier Casas, the feature film stars Mathieu Kasowitz and Ivan Atal, who play adults Michel and Patrice.

Is it based on a true story?

Is this incredible story based on real events? Director Olivier Casas was indeed inspired by the true story of two brothers, Michel and Patrice de Roberts. Everything starts from 2015; The filmmaker was invited to the inauguration of the house, which was being renovated by a certain Michel de Robert.

He is an architect of about 70 years, “Very elegant, sunny, Weston on his feet and a beautiful watch on his wrist. While taking in the site, he is completely absorbed until at one point I surprise him in the process of carving a piece of wood like an Indian. Cherokee, seeing my surprise, begins to tell me his story, his childhood, which He never told me.explains the filmmaker in the press conference of the film.

After this discussion, Michel asks Olivier Casas if the story could be followed by a feature film. “Of course”– answered the director. “It was just the beginning of a conversation that went on for 5 years before I started writing. Because Michelle’s story had been a secret for so long that she needed to pull the threads out of it. A very progressive way.”The director emphasizes.

A long-term investigation

To gather information to write the screenplay, Olivier Casas traveled to Châtelillon, near La Rochelle, where Michel and Patrice lived as children. The filmmaker investigates, even finding the death certificate of Mr. Brunet, the man who committed suicide by hanging himself at the beginning of the film, causing the two brothers to fly.

“In 2020, a week before the closing, I felt the need to travel with Michel, who had not been back there for more than 70 years, back to where we see Michel enter the garden of the old Brune house and freeze in front of the garage door: from this very door, he explained He said that he and Patrice ran away from the house to take refuge in the forest.Olivier Casas confides.

Then the artist took 2 years to create the scenario. Michel de Robert gave the director carte blanche. “I especially wanted to feed the adult part. Because beyond the amazement of these children’s survival, what made me want to make this film was the bond of love between two brothers, and I always talk about it in the present tense. Today, because it’s a bond of eternity.”Olivier Casas points out.

Brothers was released in theaters on April 24.