Claude Lelouch invokes his memories, his obsessions and a top-flight casting in his latest film, “Finally”, with Kad Merad as the realist's almost double. The opportunity, “finally”, to take stock with him of his life and his immense career.
Great melancholic stroll that “Finally”! Bittersweet, never completely desperate, sprinkled with multiple references – allusive or concrete – to the emblematic filmography of the director, the latest Claude Lelouch, in theaters this Wednesday, tells the about-face of Lino, a disillusioned and tired lawyer, who decides to escape from this life by embarking on a musical road trip across France.
This character, played by Kad Merad, obviously refers to the classic figures of the Lelouchian universe: Lino Ventura in “La Bonne Année”, Jean-Paul Belmondo in “Itinéraire d'un enfant gâté”, Michel Piccoli in “Viva la Vie”, Johnny Hallyday in “Bastard, we love you!”… With the underlying idea, the irrepressible desire to disappear in order to better (re)find oneself. The perfect opportunity to suggest to Claude Lelouch a “Finally” interview.
Finally, Claude Lelouch, will this film be the last?
No because I already have a fifty-second one in my head which could well be called: “Finally, it will never end!”
Finally, after decades of career, the Palme d'Or, the Oscars, the Honorary César, successes around the world, a new retrospective at the Cinémathèque Française… What are you still chasing today?
After the unexpected! I love surprises. And life is the greatest scriptwriter in the world… We spend our lives doing things for the first time, but there is a moment when we do them for the last… I have reached this phase where the first times and the last times are mixed up. I'm chasing that.
Finally, among the titles of your many films – without taking into account the film as such, only the title – which is your favorite?
“From one film to another” (2009 documentary). Because each film invented the one after it! I feel like I've only made one film in 51 episodes. This title sums up well the obsessions that run through me.
I feel like I've only made one movie in 51 episodes
Finally, throughout your experience, which actor or actress impressed you the most?
It would be dishonest to name one because they are all equal. It's easy, you might say, but how can we compare Lino Ventura, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Kad Merad?… They all have qualities and faults that the others don't have and that's what makes them charming. It's as if you were asking me to choose among my seven children whom I obviously adore: impossible! It's a draw… but it's not a draw!
Finally, have French critics been so hostile to you throughout your career?
There are two schools of criticism. Those who are interested in the public – and these have been rather nice to me – and another school of critics who are interested… in other critics! Critics who write to read each other. I rather annoyed those, I admit. No doubt because in my films, I mix the irrational and the rational; but they adore the rational.
Finally, is it possible to be a close friend of Claude Lelouch without necessarily appreciating his cinema?
In general, I hang out with people with whom I share things in common. I'm not one for shouting matches. I sometimes tried to slalom through all the grumps… Friendship is like love: there can be painful endings. It happens that friends, at a given moment, speculate; and we can actually get angry. I don't have any rules though. The door is constantly open. I have a train: those who want to get on are welcome and those who want to get off are welcome too.
Finally, what is the most valuable advice that your dad, to whom you were very close, gave you?
He told me not to trust anyone. And he was right. It's like the weather: you can't trust it, it's not stable. And distrusting everyone often got me through the drops.
Ultimately, are women and children always more of a hassle than friends and the cinema?
Oh yes certainly! And that's normal, they're our favorite pain in the ass. We need it. Children only call you when there is an emergency. I'm a SAMU, I'm the 15th! And I'm happy to come to their aid whenever they call me. And they inevitably call you when things are going badly and yet, you are happy saying to yourself: “Hey, they are thinking of me!”
Finally Claude Lelouch, what if we had to do it again?
I would try to stay true to myself, to my instinct; who is smarter than me and who has always taken me where I needed to go.
“Finally”, by Claude Lelouch, with Kad Merad, Elsa Zylberstein, Michel Boujenah, Barbara Pravi… In theaters.
