Murders on the Cote d’Azur with Jean-Pierre Foucault: “It’s uncomfortable to try something different,” confides the host

France 3 invites its viewers to follow the first steps as the actor of TF1 presenter Jean-Pierre Foucault in the new TV movie Murders on the Cote d’Azur, which will be broadcast on Saturday 12 October at 21:10. For AlloCiné, the Channel 1 entertainment star recounts this brand new experience for him throughout his impressive career…

AlloCiné: Why did you agree to star in this TV movie?

Jean-Pierre Foucault: I was very hesitant when he made this suggestion to me during lunch with Christoph Kozarek. He seduced me first. Then, anxiously and after a few days of thought, I said:Yes“…and after he said”Yes“, I thought: “But what did you do?!“(…) Today I don’t regret that I tried, but at the time I have to admit that it really bothered me.

Did filming where you live not too far away ease you into this first experience as an actor?

I have been an actor 2-3 times, but in my role, which, I must say, is a role that I know very well… But here I am really playing someone else’s role, the evening with the opportunity to go home, although it was quite pleasant. And above all, shooting in a natural environment, which is mine, convinced me a lot. There were other things that made my life difficult…

That is, since the days of studying at school, which you can imagine were extremely brilliant, since I started working at the age of 18, I have never learned a text by heart! (…) But I had a tutor at home who was fantastic: Alexandre Thibault, who came to my house every day to rehearse. Then, I even practiced at night! my wife told me “who are you talking to“and I answered”I don’t talk to anyone. I repeat!(laughs)

Can you describe your training with your tutor in more detail?

Every day at home we read about the next day. And then he gave me some advice… First he taught me how to walk. We don’t go on TV much, we are quite static. He also gave me some tips about pauses and breathing in the text. He was definitely a must on set. I thank him very much!

Did any fellow animators give you advice?

I went to see Jean-Luc Reichmann because he is filming near us in Martigues. He explained to me his system of rote learning, etc. I think Jean-Luc is a real actor with heart and soul and a great host. Me, I’m just a TV show host… On the other hand, I didn’t get to talk to Laurence Boccolin or Stephen Byrne, who I saw again on TV the other night. But does society accept us in its roles? I will tell you after the show.

Was it more difficult for you to interpret the scene?

They were all difficult! I have been working as an animator for 55 years and I was in front of the camera myself. There they asked me to ignore the camera and play someone else! I’ve always worried whether we’d believe Jean-Pierre Foucault, the actor, because if you watch a TV movie and say to yourself:Holy Foucault!”is omitted. Conversely, if I imagine myself in the shoes of Mark Valenci, the legacy architect, then the bet will be successful. That was my concern.

What was your reaction when you watched the fiction?

When I got the telefilm, I watched it sideways to see less, a little bit to protect myself (laughs) I can’t say I felt good, because it’s not like that and because I always see Jean-Pierre Foucault. But my friends who saw it said:Yes, that’s good. “ So the public sanction will fall… Sunday morning we will see if Marc Valens was good or Jean-Pierre Foucault was bad.

Did this experience make you want to continue on this path?

As I told you, when I watch a TV movie, I always see Jean-Pierre Foucault and it annoys me a bit. If the audience ignores it, maybe I’ll do something else if Christoph Kosarek wants to suggest something else. At this point, maybe less crime, but a little more comedy. But comedy is the most difficult, the most difficult, the most delicate art, whether in television or film

Have you received any offers yet?

They will fall like spades! (laughs) No, I didn’t have any other offer. It’s not even out yet, you know? Then I didn’t do it for that. One: I did it because Christophe asked me to. Two: Because TF1 was very kind enough to let me do it. And three: because it’s not at all unpleasant for me to try something different.