what are you talking about
Two lifelong friends live on a small island in Brittany and discover that one of the residents has won the national lottery jackpot. The two old scoundrels then set off to find the mysterious winner to keep him in good graces until the news broke. But when they discover that the latter is dead, with the winning ticket in hand, they decide to stage a massive lottery scam involving the entire village in his place.
These are two monuments of French comedy, one famous for being one of the mainstays of Les Inconnus, the other especially for playing ultra-iconic roles in City of Fear or Asterix’s Mission Cleopatra: Didier Bourdon and Gérard Darmont!
The old-fashioned comedy directed by Hervé Mimran, shown on Wednesday, September 4, brings them together for the first time. We caught up with them in tandem to talk about this unique duo and this spicy comedy that will challenge everyone’s relationship with morality!
AlloCiné: How is it that after so many years of career, you never had the opportunity to film together?
Gérard Darmon: We should not ask that question. It depends on whoever is doing the distribution or directing ideas. It turns out that Igor Gotesman and other people were thinking about us.
Didier Bourdon: Distributions are sometimes hybridized. Sometimes it’s always a little bit the same. Our late Claude Berre had the courage to mingle with people. As it happens, it’s not really a mix of genres for either of us.
For my part, I have done many duets with women. With Jossian Balasco, Karin Viar, Isabel Carre… slightly different worlds. I have done few duets with men, except Christian Clavier, with whom I did La Cage aux Folles.
Do you have a favorite film in each other’s filmography?
Didier Bourdon: his speech in Asterix!
Gérard Darmon: For me, this is where you decide to quit smoking! bet! I think it’s very, very good.
Didier Bourdon: Guys who are a bit addicted like Le Pari! After that, with Gerard, there is also his dimension in interviews or for example LOL. It’s rare to be good at it either. There are actors who are a bit shy. I like his sense of mood.
A l’Ancienne is also an opportunity to reform another tandem, with Chantal Laub and Gérard Darmont, as in La Cité de la Fear…
Gérard Darmon: It was very exciting to find it again. This is another movie, another era. It took us 30 years. But the fact of meeting again was very exciting. According to ourselves, we always had the same desire to search, to find, to play, to laugh, to laugh, to surprise… Of course, it was an emotion.
A l’Ancien is a comedy that plays with everyone’s morals… What would we do in the place of these characters in their situation?
Didier Bourdon: Do we get a check?
Gérard Darmon: Not the one we touch as an actor!!!
Didier Bourdon: If I got a check that big, I think I’d stop working. At my age, probably. You always need to make an effort, and that’s pretty good; We love it… but it’s not an artistic effort. These are all questions that arise: Is he going to make a movie? Accessibility for all. Fortunately, our reputation counteracts these problems. We are able to get things that we didn’t have before. But everything around is a bit complicated. As I often say, we are in front of the camera, so we must always be 100%.
A l’Ancienne is an adaptation of a British film that is little known in France. Old bastards (Waking Ned) by Kirk Jones. Interested in watching this movie?
Didier Bourdon: It’s more than a curiosity, it’s one of my favorite movies! When producer Hugo Gelin explained the story to me, I said, “Ah, yes, Ned awake!” It’s a great movie. I have the soundtrack on my phone. (He starts humming the music) two actors are no longer in this world, unfortunately. This is a way of honoring them by covering their score.
What inspires the success of a comedy like Un P’tit truc en plus?
Didier Bourdon: It goes beyond cinema. This applies!
Gérard Darmont: And that’s good because it allows other films to be made. It’s wonderful. You should never be jealous or envious. This is good. Obviously, when we release a film, we want it to work. Great, he deserves it!
Didier Bourdon: the success of one does not prevent others!
Comments collected at the 2024 Angoulême French-Language Film Festival
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.
