“I never raised my hand on Sara Forestier”

The notions of hierarchy and order are very present in “black hearts”. Are they talking to you?

Totally. As an actor as a soldier, we try to integrate into a vision. But above all to be one. The production, in this case, was a bit of our command to us … I still had to ask for a permission of five days to go marry in Brittany! [Il rit.] I left, I celebrated, I returned to the set illico. As in garrison.

There is also a lot of question of gender relationships in the series. How did you get caught up in the subject?

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Martin, my character, is not a priori comfortable with the integration of women in his intervention group. For a very simple reason, and to which I subscribe as a man: it is unbearable to imagine that, taken prisoner, these soldiers can undergo rape or other exactions of this type.

Your news is not only linked to the release of this second season. Recently, actress Sara Forestier reiterated her accusations against you before the National Assembly of the National Assembly on violence in culture. She maintains that you carried your hand on her during a shooting in 2017, which led her to stop the cinema for a while.

[Catégorique.] I repeat what I have already said many times: I have never raised my hand on Sara Forestier. I would have slapped it, I would not have hidden it, but that is not the case. I have witnesses, including the director of the film in question, Marion Vernoux. Sara Forestier as I went very far in the insults that evening, I will not deny it. But in no case did I touch it. I was heard by the police in this case, who did nothing about it. Sara part of the shooting, Ana Girardot replaced her. They both have the same agent: he would not have run such a risk to Ana if I presented any threat, if I was really “masculinist”, as they say now.

“I want my name to be washed. I don’t ask anything else “

How do you explain the accusations against you?

I don’t explain them! I have turned, sometimes on several occasions, with many directors – Lætitia Masson, Claire Denis, Maïwenn … With Maïwenn, on “Polisse”, we yell down. It happens: cinema is made of affects, emotions. But I have never been violent with these women. No more than I was with the actresses with whom I filmed, a fortiori intimate scenes. I was the first to cover their nudity as soon as the catch was over. I am not an animal. What I find a little strong is that the commission of inquiry allows itself to take what is said about me as a proven fact, without me having the slightest right of response. A certain press makes me spearhead of everything that is currently happening in the cinema: “Télérama” publishes a report of this commission and quotes me as if I were a pillar of this type of actions; For me, it is incomprehensible. Mediapart leads a sloppy investigation, and I find myself in this surge #metoo…

With the impression of serving as a fuse?

But I totally understand the #MeToo movement! There are big disgusting, perverts, manipulators, and it has to change! On the other hand, it is not possible that we make certain declarations for cash. This way of doing things is not justice.

According to “Le Parisien”, three complaints and two handrails were filed against you by some of your ex-partner, between 2016 and 2021.

I do not deny some past personal belongings. They were settled, including in court, with a verdict in the key. But that we dig up the stories of fighting with my lining that date from 2002, it is unreal. All these elements put end to end, it’s not me. I have received many very violent messages on social networks – I would almost do not care, it is not the “real” life … But it hurts my wife, to my mother. To my three children, too. And that, I can’t accept it. These cases took place in particular at the time of difficult separations, the complaints in question were classified without follow -up. From now on, relationships are peaceful.

You recently chose to be represented by Me Dosé, very publicized for having been the lawyer of Jacques Doillon, Philippe Caubère or Frédéric Beigbeder* – all three accused of sexual violence. Aren’t you afraid that this choice influences what the general public will think of you?

I especially see in her the lawyer of Julien Bayou: the facts which were accused of her [accusations de violences psychologiques par une ancienne compagne, NDLR] were classified for absence of offense. This type of accusation puts me out of me: they seriously harm women who live violence … I also want my name to be washed. I don’t ask for anything else.

“I started in cinema by chance”

Do you fear, in the future, to suffer from this story?

It is still a little early to say. Especially since we prefer to silence the reasons why we refuse to make you run, in this kind of case.

Do you do this job today for the same reasons as when you started, at 19?

I started in cinema by chance. I didn’t expect anything. What I liked I liked, to the point that I decide to continue. Being an actor is a job that I always see as a chance and that I live as such. Despite the ups and downs.

Is it a source of anxiety to be aged on the screen?

For the moment, I live it well. [Il sourit.] The advantage, now, is that I have access to other roles. I appreciate being able to show other facets of what we are, experiences that we feed by advancing in time.

* Jacques Doillon is now placed under the status of witness assisted following several complaints for sexual assault and rape, notably by Judith Godrèche. Philippe Caubèreet Frédéric Beigbeder were accused of rape before the two cases were classified without follow -up.