Sofiane Zermani: “That someone feels I am capable of taking on something other than the character of Fianso, that flatters me”

Fianso is his stage name, as a rapper, now an actor, he takes his full name, Sofiane Zermani. He is now showing in Tiger and hyenasa film about robbers, heists and gangster codes.“I think we manage to become attached to robbers, and particularly in this very virile and violent film, where we highlight their sensitivity.“He admits that he and the director wanted to make them men, human beings who put one foot in front of the other by doing big stupid things, without making them heroic.

The actor explains that he took a little inspiration from Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs for this role, a film with very professional, very square, and yet clumsy guys who screw up. Sofiane Zermani also re-muscled for the occasion after filming a film where he gained 15 kilos. “I love this transformation thing, from character to character. At the moment, I have the haircut to play someone too, I like to suggest things to the director.”

Working as an actor in the theater

It started by chance for him, with an invitation to The Great Gatsby at the Théâtre du Châtelet, then he got into the game. He likes to surprise with roles that go against what he offers as a rapper. At the same time, the impression of imposture arrives, so he launches into the theater “to please myself, but also to train myself, I also go to the theater to tell the actors who are struggling with castings at 15, etc., I didn't come to play with my name and my notoriety as a rapper, I'm going to learn and enjoy it with you.” This theatrical training pleased him enormously and allowed him to learn and prove himself. He is now offered roles of which he is proud, “that I feel capable of taking on something other than this character of Fianso who has made up my entire career, that flatters me.”

Fianso soon back on stage?

However, Sofiane will always be Fianso and it will never be over. Because Seine-Saint-Denis gives nicknames that will last forever and because rap is also its life. Maybe not for albums, but perhaps, a priori, returning to the stage before the age of 40, “it’s possible.” Announcement of a return of Fianso on stage?

Fianso today has a bit of the status of a former retired rapper, at 38 years old. He grew up in Seine-Saint-Denis, in a family of six children, parents who came from Algeria. He passed the family library every day without really taking any interest in it, but one day he decided to open one and delve into it. However, he left school at 16*, “I don't know if I left school or if destiny took me out”,* but the link with his mother gave him the taste for poetry and theater. A duality that he cultivates: poetry and rap, the suburbs, “I have these two guys.”

His profession as an actor, rap, his role as a father, listen here to Sofiane Zermani alias Fianso, at the microphone of Léa Salamé…