The City of Fear: why this great director refused to make the film Dummies

The city of fearqueen of cult comedies

In 1994, the comedy trio Idiots – Alain Chabat, Chantal Lauby and Dominique Farrugia – television stars since the late 80s, are writing their first film, a detective comedy entitled The city of fear. A surprising comedy film in the French cinema landscape, which borrows in particular its fascination with visual gags, the absurd and nonsense from Zucker Brothers.

The film is directed by Alain Berbérian, director of the Les Nuls trio’s television shows. However, this was not the first choice of the three comedians and StudioCanal. Initially, in fact, they wanted to entrust the production of their film one of France’s leading directors and producers.

Claude Berri refused The city of fear

Director and producer as versatile as he is prolific, screenwriter and also actor, Claude Berri has been nicknamed “the godfather” of French cinema. In the early 90s it was one of the greatest figureshaving notably produced in 1986 Jean de Florette AND Manon of the sourcesand in 1993 Germinal. As for production, in the same period we owe him, among others, films such as The bear by Jean-Jacques Annaud e The little thief by Claude Miller in 1988 and 1994 Queen Margot by Patrice Chereau.

It is therefore towards Claude Berri that Les Nuls turns, but refuses to produce The City of Feardeclaring that he had found this scenario, very simply:

A little stupid.

The manufacturer reaches in 1995

In a way, Claude Berri is right: the completely zany humor coming from the “spirit of the Canal” of The city of fear it can be judged so “stupid”, but it is a second degree that is completely conscious and reveals itself light. Even though the press received it poorly upon its release, it still convinced the large audience (more than 2.2 million spectators) and quickly became a cult and beloved film.

Claude Berri missed the chance to collaborate on a great comedy of French cinema, but he made a comeback in style the following year. In 1995, he produced and starred in a very successful comedy: The three brothersfrom the comedy trio The strangerwhich almost attracts 7 million viewers in theaters and won the César for best first film in 1996.

And if he rejects the proposal of Alain Chabat and his colleagues, he will do so The city of fearno animosity between them: in 1997, he was the producer of Didierthe first feature film directed by Alain Chabat, and it is also that of his second, the comedy masterpiece Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra in 2002.

Source: Cine Serie

Ray

Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.