Tonight on Netflix: Subscribers are going crazy for this comedy starring Christian Clavier that hit the headlines 8 years ago

In 2017, three years after the triumph of The Good Lord and its 12.3 million downloads, Christian Clavier teamed up again with director Philippe de Chevron for Àarms Ouverts. This time, the director told us the story of Jean-Etienne Fugerol, who played the role of Christian Clavier.

A figure in the French literary and media scene, she is a humanist intellectual married to a wealthy heiress cut off from reality. While Foujerole is promoting his new novel in a televised debate with outstretched handsBy inviting the wealthiest people to welcome the needy into their homes, his opponent challenges him to apply what he advises in his own work.

Stuck and oppressed, Foujerole takes his adversary at his word and accepts the challenge in order not to lose face. But that same evening the doorbell rings at his luxurious home in Marnes-la-Coquette… The Fougerells’ faith will be tested!

Along with Christian Clavier, Elsa Zilberstein plays his wife Daphne. Ari Abitani, on the other hand, plays Babik, a member of a gypsy family who settles in the garden of Fugerol. Colorful character, a little defiant, it is also quite attractive. Babic brings a touch of humor and contrast to the relationship between a gypsy family and the Parisian bourgeoisie.

A serious confrontation

At that time Àarms Ouverts was to be called Sivouplééé; Accused of conveying racist stereotypes, it caused a heated debate. Philippe de Chevron then stepped down to defend the film. “During the test screening, we polled anonymous viewers: 92% liked the movie, 1% thought it was racist, and 97% thought Babik was the most likable character. We love Babik.”He told the then newspaper about it Parisian in April 2017.

“It hurts me so much. Especially since I’m married to a black and Muslim woman: if I was a racist, she would leave me!”He also protected himself. The artist also explained that he called Sorin Mihal, an important member of the Roma community, originally from Romania; The latter had to express his opinion on the script.

“Some people thought we were going to make fun of the gypsies. It obviously wasn’t, but what convinced me was that Sorin told me it might be clumsy or misinterpreted. As someone with a lot of humor, I listened to him.”Philippe de Chevron emphasized.

It was not a documentary, but a comedy.

Sorin’s mission was to tell us if what we were doing or showing was fair, while he obviously knew it wasn’t a documentary, but a comedy. This made him laugh a lot, and above all he saw that there was no malice in our words. We just make jokes to make people laugh.said the director, who also invited Sorin Mihal to the set.

Ultimately, With Open Arms drew a million viewers to theaters when it was released in April 2017. Now available on Netflix, it hit the top 10, alongside other popular hits like Kpop Demon Hunters, Without a Sound or Despicable Me 4.