Champion: ‘My story makes me even more believable’… How Kenji Jirak became a TF1 actor

Allociné – I met you on The Voice in 2014, since then you’ve released several albums and now I’ve found you in a TV movie. Have you always wanted to act?

Kenji Jirak: I’ve never asked myself that question before. It’s true that I’m lucky, because I’ve had an audience for several years now. I have released a lot of songs, but until now I have not really asked myself to do a movie and become an actor one day. As I wish! Finally, it is even more incredible to see how things happen naturally.

And then we offer you a champion…

When I was offered to start, of course I agreed. You can also do this by talking about a very important topic like illiteracy. This opportunity and the theme of the TV movie really made me want to do this shoot.

Can you tell us a few words about this TV movie?

Champion is a film that highlights a great taboo. I think it will help people who are in need. The TV movie is very positive, there is a lot of love, a lot of trust, but also difficulties. The character makes every effort to overcome his illiteracy despite many obstacles. At the same time, he hides his disability from everyone close to him, even his family.

I think it’s important to talk about illiteracy because many people are in zack’s situation and they need help. The message of this movie is that we should never give up or give up, we should always fight to learn what we don’t know.

A few months ago you told Le Parisien about the difficulties you encountered, especially with reading. Was your personal story a factor that led you to accept this role?

Indeed, that’s partly why I got the role. My story makes me even more convincing to convey this message. I also faced difficulties in reading and writing. So I am equally concerned about this topic and people who are or have been illiterates.

Personally, I was able to redouble my efforts and talk to the team to overcome this. I have been studying to overcome this drawback for several years now, and I have partially succeeded in it. So I want to give everyone this message of hope.

Finally, the purpose of this TV movie is to break the taboo.

Valid! And exactly, it shouldn’t be taboo. If you have difficulty reading or writing, you should talk about it, because it is not that serious. People who talk about it will love their loved ones no less. Illiteracy is a problem that can be overcome.

What is your message to those who suffer from illiteracy?

We should redouble our efforts and not be ashamed of our illiteracy because we love them all equally. They have to keep hope, give it their all, ask for help, talk about it. They may try to work on their phones, on their own, or get help from their teachers.

For example, I want to take grammar lessons soon because French grammar is very difficult. Sometimes I still make spelling mistakes and I don’t want to make more. Therefore, I will try to find time to continue studying.

You had a physical transformation for your role and your diction is also different. How did you prepare to shoot in Champion?

I was preparing for several months. I read the script a hundred times to learn it perfectly. Apart from that, I did a lot of sports, namely boxing, as well as coaching sessions to improve my acting skills. Also, wherever I went, in the hotel, before the concert or during the filming of The Voice, my teacher came and helped me prepare for the filming of the champion.

As for my accent, I always had to turn off my senses while shooting a telefilm. And because I’m a southerner, I never shut down my feelings normally when I talk and always let them out. As a result, when you shoot a movie, you can’t keep them as they are. I’ve really learned to shut down my feelings thanks to Champion, so I feel like my accent is changing because it’s not the way I talk.

Do you identify with Zack’s character?

A bit of the same. He reminds me of a younger version of myself. Until I was 16-17 years old, I also worked with wood, I also built wooden houses for fun, because I had a big imagination.

I kind of find myself in him, but we still have different ways of life and our own difficulties. But I think thanks to everything I managed to put this character in place.

What do you remember from this experience?

This experience is truly amazing! I went through all the emotions and I didn’t think the movie would play with our feelings like that. At the end of the day, I think that’s the fun of shooting fiction, being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and feel their emotions.

Do you plan to focus a little more on your acting career from now on?

I’m not going to give up my music because it’s been a part of me since childhood. But obviously I’m leaning towards cinema because I really want to make other films and tell other stories. Now I know how to prepare for the role, so I’m ready to get back on this adventure.

Specifically, in which other movie or TV series would you like to act?

So, love stories, a detective series, a movie that talks about the history of France, maybe a war movie that teaches the youngest what happened then. We are lucky to be French, our country has many stories to tell!

Are you ready to start writing the screenplay?

Not immediately. But maybe I will write a film in the future, why not. Then, as I said before, when I was little, I had a big imagination. Can you come up with someone’s story with the team, because alone I think it might be a bit difficult.

Before I start writing, I want to continue telling real stories, like a period love story. In any case, I want to continue telling exciting stories that also have a beautiful message.

Apart from cinema, what projects do you have?

I’m finishing up a big tour with over 80 dates. Then, my fifth album is coming out soon, so I’ll be promoting it soon. And viewers can find me on The Voice Kids, which airs Saturdays on TF1.