Jean Yanne, Jacques Martin, Thierry Le Luron, Sylvie Joly, with Paris Première, the duo of directors Fabrice Gardel and Edward Beucler have made a good habit of devoting documentary films around the life of a notable deceased personality.
This time, the duo focused on a living personality, strongly linked to the talented deceased mentioned in the preamble, since their latest work focuses on “1001 lives of Philippe Bouvard”, the man who created and embodied the show cult of “Big Heads” on RTL for nearly 40 years while establishing, in our collective memories, an inimitable style, that of a curious man, “capable of constantly adapting to the vagaries of live broadcasting, with tact, curiosity, accuracy while being able to hold live broadcasts of 3 hours”analyse Edward Beucler.
Adopted from Cannes – the documentary was also presented in Cannes in preview and in his presence on November 30 – also very attached to the Côte d’Azur where he has lived for many years, Philippe Bouvard remains a figure journalism.
It’s not easy to tell such a life in less than 70 minutes, but it’s the challenge achieved by the Gardel-Beucler duo with, in addition, testimonies from those close to the main character, himself interviewed in the film as well as his wife. Colette, like Francis Perrin, Nicolas Sarkozy, Muriel Robin, Mimie Mathy, David Lisnard, Michèle Bernier and Jacques Mailhot.
An intimate film
“The project interested him, rewinds Fabrice Gardel, he liked the idea of being talked about as something other than a brat. Behind the media man, there is an intelligent person, who built himself, he has no studies, no journalism school, he comes from nowhere..
Beyond all the media, and sometimes known, part of Bouvard’s story (“Les gros têtes”, “Le Théâtre de Bouvard”, the radio, the interviews), the film focuses on his intimate life.
His childhood during the Second World War, his absent father, this complex linked to his height, his late-accepted Jewishness. Strong moments, shown with hundreds of previously unpublished family photos, which allow us to better understand the man.
“This also explains the complexity of the character, continues Gardel. We’re trying to restore human depth to people who are a bit reduced to television men, dirty kids.”
Proof of Philippe Bouvard’s impact, all the personalities quickly gave their approval to testify in front of the camera, even when their schedules were busy.
“When we interviewed Nicolas Sarkozy, it was the day after the day Éric Ciotti moved to the RN, rembobine Edward Beucler. And he was, in my opinion, on fire, but he still gave us our interview time because he is close to Bouvard, a loyal friend. There was never any question of deprogramming himself or changing the promise he made to us.”
The ambitious project also makes it possible to measure what television was like in the 1970s and 80s, these sets where, suddenly, CGT trade unionists were invited live. Not enough to disconcert Bouvard who invites them, politely, calmly, to sit in front of him to talk.
“He understood that everyone came to defend their piece of fat, as he said, tempers Fabrice Gardel. His talent is knowing how to constantly adapt. In a fraction of a second. He doesn’t judge people, he takes the time to listen, without prejudice. A human is a human. We talk to him as he is.”.
Same story with Beucler: “You come to my house, you arrive a bit like a jerk. Instead of rejecting you like society might do, I simply say to you: sit down, take off your coat, take your time. I finish with my first guest and we’re going to talk. I think it’s a great value. He understood how to behave with people.”.
Which undoubtedly explains this longevity. Even if the 95-year-old remains weakened, this film was a breath of fresh air for him. “When we showed him the film, he had touching words towards us, with his unique sense of expression: ”You didn’t know me, but now you know me better than anyone””concludes Fabrice Gardel.
“The thousand and one lives of Philippe Bouvard”, this Saturday January 11 at 9 p.m., on Paris Première.
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