“We should have gone to Greece” is your first filming in Corsica?
I had already come to shoot, in 2004, in Three little girls by Jean-Loup Hubert. And then, but this goes back a long way, when I was a scout, we had a traveling camp, notably near Restonica. I had made a short film in 8 mm.
How did the filming of “We Should Have Gone to Greece” go?
It was really great. It must be said that it is a Corsican film, made by Corsicans. I liked the self-mockery of the film. They were the only ones who could afford it. I also like this trend around a “regionalist” cinema. In fact, it is part of something older, like when Pagnol filmed in Marseille. There is a real resource around identity and these films work everywhere.
What attracted you to this project?
This is a very nice story. The adventure is quite funny because the scenario is quite old. It was lying around in drawers but came back to the forefront thanks to new funding. I wasn’t supposed to participate because of another project. The latter was finally postponed, so I was able to come to Corsica!
Did the director Nicolas Benamou already call on you for “Baby-sitting”?
Yes, and I have complete confidence in him. He really masters the exercise and has the ability to make films in difficult conditions. We had to shoot in a hurry. It was also a pleasure to meet actors I know like Virginie Hocq, Charlotte Gabris and Vincent Desagnat. Afterwards, I got to know Corsican actors like Fred Poggi who I found great in a role against type. This adventure and this story reminded me of the film For 100 bricks you get nothing left.
Why does this young generation call upon figures like you?
It has always existed! We would bring in Jean Rochefort or Jean-Pierre Marielle, these actors that we admired. For me, it is a great pleasure and an honor when this young generation, who appreciate us, calls on us. Like Philippe Lacheau. He also gave me a small role in his next feature film, The Marsupilami. This is one of the great opportunities of this profession: we need young people and seniors (laughs). It’s just that today, I play fathers or grandfathers more often.
During your career, you moved from comedy to more dramatic roles…
I like everything, as long as it’s not boring, not a headache. I try to choose films that I would like to see as a spectator. I really like “mainstream” auteur films like these great classics – by Clouzot or Melville – which were successful. Afterwards, I obviously have a fondness for comedy, it’s my favorite field. We know well that a double bass player is not going to play the flute (laughs). Each to their own instrument. I don’t remember who said: “You have to know how to surprise with what you expect”. I hope to continue making films as a director and as an actor. And I play in all my films, even a small role. As long as I have the energy…
Are you accompanying the film on its island tour?
Yes, I’m doing all five dates of the tour and I’m excited to come in the sun. It’s going to be sunny, right? Because I packed my swimsuit in the suitcase!
Before its theatrical release on November 13, “We Should Have Gone to Greece” is going on tour on the island. The film is being previewed this Wednesday, September 18 in Ajaccio at 7 p.m. at L’Ellipse and at 8:30 p.m. at Laetitia, Thursday 19 in Bastia at Régent at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., Friday 20 in L’Ile-Rousse at Fogata at 8:30 p.m., Saturday 21 in Corte in L’Alba at 4 p.m. and Sunday 22 at 5 p.m. at Galaxy in Lecci.
