In The Thread, Criminal lawyer Jean Monier, played by Daniel Auteuil, has not argued any criminal cases since he cleared a repeat murderer about fifteen years ago. Until he comes across the case of a father accused of murdering his wife…
The secrets and mysteries of each
If he is a monument of French cinema, the actor is made of a supple marble that continues to evolve with time. He, who had sworn to be done with directing, has gone back behind the camera. Perhaps for a question of truth. « This story, (originally told by a criminal lawyer on his blog, then adapted into a book), reality is a hundred thousand times stronger than fiction. No screenwriter would have dared to write the terrible aspects of this drama. The secrets and mysteries that each person carries within themselves interest me. Like this question of intimate conviction in a trial where there is neither proof nor alibi, nothing but the word of one against the word of the other…. The quality of persuasion of the lawyer and the sincerity and pain of the victim pleased me.
The hero’s passion for his job, what he decided to do it for: that part of illusion that every lawyer must have in him and the desire to confront the misfortune of the world. This lawyer will feel a kind of call, a breath to defend the innocent. Like him, I believe that my neighbor is, if not better, as good as me.
The acting profession
Can we compare the professions of actor and lawyer? For Daniel Auteuil, who likes to be surprised by a role: “The actor is a gambler. The lawyer is not. The only link between the two is talent. If I fail in my role, I risk being ridiculous; if I fail in my role, the lawyer risks screwing up someone’s life. They are not the same professions.
For us actors, success allows us to always be present, to be desired and to still have the feeling of having things to say and not dwelling on the past. It gives confidence. Among his notable roles, that of Ugolin in love with Emmanuelle Béart in Manon des sources (1986) by Claude Berri: “He is ridiculous, not a caricature, and his ridiculousness is tragic. This role allowed me to move from comedy to great roles. What makes an actor’s career is working with great directors, and what makes great actors is simply great roles.
Another role, that of The opponent worked on it for a long time : “I had hidden the crimes while making this film. I focused only on the lie. So I was restless for this film to come out to give the spectators my anxieties, who take them and get rid of them. But overall, it’s always fun to be an actor. Even if there is always the same fear of disappointing your partners, the public, or yourself. You are never sure of anything and it is this fragility that makes this job beautiful.”
The Why of How: History Listen later
Lecture listen 3 min
The rest, the song, his family… is to be listened to.
