MP Denis Trudel is known for his political career, but many will remember his beginnings in the field of cinema, and it was alongside Julien Poulin that he played his first role on the big screen.
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The one who represents the riding of Longueuil–Saint-Hubert for the Bloc Québécois in Ottawa first appeared in a film made in 1989, based on a novel by Dany Laferrière. It was at this time that he met Julien Poulin.
The latter, known for his role as Elvis Gratton, died on Sunday. He was 78 years old.
Photo DANIEL MALLARD
“I made my first film with him,” said Denis Trudel, in an interview with LCN. With Roy Dupuis, we were like a kind of infernal trio from the Saint-Louis square.”
“He was already a star, and then right away we clicked and connected,” he added.
Mr. Trudel specifies that the two men maintained a great friendship thanks to one thing in common: the independence of Quebec.
The politician remembers that Mr. Poulin was already known by Quebecers at that time, because of his role as Elvis Gratton.
“What stands out about Julien is that you take Elvis Graton, you take Julien Poulin and you cannot have two characters as polar opposites as that,” mentioned Mr. Trudel.
Mr. Gratton is a completely extroverted and self-confident character, while his interpreter is rather an introverted and anxious individual, according to the MP.
A surprising mourning
The death of Julien Poulin caused shock waves across Quebec. Denis Trudel, in particular, did not expect it at all.
“I don’t know why, but it comes to me more than I thought,” he said.
He mentions that the two men spoke less to each other in the last decade.
“It’s as if the contact we had, so close for years, had remained,” he stressed.
“It will remain an icon of what Quebec was in 1980,” he illustrated.
Watch the full interview in the video above.
