Do you experience this gap between generations with your own children (a 42-year-old son and two daughters born in 2006 and 2010)?
“No, not too much… Because my wife is from Quebec, so they have a little North American side. My daughters will perhaps be activists on the thing… But on ecology, in fact, I am already very environmentalist Since I was little, I’m the one who tells them: turn off the water while you brush your teeth, etc., Because there are people who don’t have water. I’ve always been an environmentalist. nature, I don’t like to throw away stupidly. I keep up to date with all the new fuels. I have an electric car, by the way. I’m not an activist, but I think it’s very important. ‘ecology in itself is not just a pretty name!’
A comedy which, through these subjects (gender, etc.), proves that we would have less freedom today than at the time of The Unknowns?
“That’s for sure. As I often say, the most gender-neutral country I know is North Korea. When you see the photos, girls and boys are dressed the same. So, if everyone is the same… it’s a bit like the way in the totalitarian country. There too, it’s a question of balance. It’s not a question of separating men from women. “Nuance is not like computers, it exists.”
“We were a real human trio, a bit like the Bronzés were”
Does cinema sometimes censor itself too?
“In the cinema, this is perhaps a little less the case. We, in any case, with Les Inconnus, we are still a hit on YouTube and TikTok. Because we went all out. And then, where we go wrong people, we are adored by everyone, whether Arabs, snobs, etc. Because we say things from the heart and that’s the most important thing. arrives quickly today, with the social networks. At the time of the Unknowns, we received kilos of mail every day. There were plenty of people who were already unhappy… Today, if people don’t say anything, that’s it. because we are legitimate. We did it 30 years ago. If we had done it today, we would have people attacking us from all sides.
And what about “Three Brothers”, number 3?
“Yes, I had thought of an idea, the three grandfathers, but it will be complicated. The idea would be that the father of one of the three is still alive, he is 90 years old, and is very rich. everyone agrees, even if Bernard wants to do Riad Sattouf first (The Beautiful Kids, Jacky in the Kingdom of GirlsEditor’s note.) A film by the comic book author but which has nothing to do with Les Inconnus. There will be a bit of wit, because he loves Les Inconnus, but it won’t be a Les Inconnus film. Seeing them again in the cinema is therefore not sure. But it’s not impossible either. Today, I talk less about projects because, sometimes, it damages them a little.”
Does this success on the networks mean that you are still bankable?
“Ah… I have in the summer, that’s for sure. Like Balasko or Darmon who tell me that they’ve never had so many offers. But we’re not 20 anymore, anyway… even if we remain passionate about this profession, but we are neither the first nor the last. I believe that we are made for this profession or not. But it is true that it is a priesthood. love my job There is. maybe people who have talent, but who are less addicted. With Pascal and Bernard, we never pulled the wool over our heads. We wanted people to feel it. A real human trio. the Bronzés were. That’s why the death of Michel Blanc hurt people a lot… They love us because we don’t give lessons. The only lesson we give is that. we are here, like the king’s fools. If there is one from any side who goes too far, we hit him.”
He’s buzzing about playing Obelix and (re)making music
Fabien Onteniente (Camping, Disco, Three Zeros) made his return to the cinema with Four Zeros and think of Philippe Lacheau and Didier Bourdon in the roles of Asterix and Obélix. “We kind of threw the idea around like that, the actor confesses to us. But it’s true that, if it’s Lacheau, I’m in! I like him and it’s mutual.” And to give details about the role. “Obelix, I would like to do it. Even if it’s not the most interesting role in the world either. I’m pushing myself a little more on dramatic roles at the moment. Like at the Paris Conservatory, I liked going from something dark to Molière, Shakespeare, etc. Or, as in Les Inconnus, there are completely different things, sharper sketches, lighter ones… and then there was song!”
A return to singing then for someone who has already released an album (yes, yes!)? “I’m working on stuff, writing and playing guitar but it’s not on the agendaconcludes the one who published “Le Bourdon” in 2021. If I hadn’t really been an actor and director, I would have been in music. I made the album because there was Covid, otherwise I might not have done it. I’m too busy with cinema. It was my wife who pushed me. I don’t regret it, because I almost wanted to be on stage!”
