“All my life, I told myself that the record I made was the last”. Facing journalist Augustin Trapenard, who we never see on screen, Michel Sardou confides in his (yet) long career. From the privacy of his home in Normandy, the 77-year-old singer immediately admits that he did not want to be a singer. This “son of” sought above all to exist in front of his famous parents and to break into comedy. Very young, the fan of Johnny Hallyday multiplies the most incredible initiatives to exist.
Read also: “Song and theater are over”: Michel Sardou announces his retirement
A fascinating perspective
From his attempt to open a naughty club at 17, to his admission of not being “a very good father”, Michel Sardou treats the viewer with his anecdotes, thanks to his usual frankness. But it is above all when he puts his songs into perspective with the history of the country that the artist captivates the most. Fascist, racist, reactionary, homophobic, macho… Michel Sardou has fun with the different labels that have been attached to him over time. He states: “I’m not reacting!” ». A little easily, he takes refuge behind a stage character to explain his remarks about women or “the blessed time of the colonies”.
However, he admits to having made mistakes, like when he sings I am for while he does not say he is in favor of the death penalty. Of his surprise successes, like Popular balls (which he says he hates) or The lakes of Connemara , with his committed lyrics, Michel Sardou marked more than 50 years of French song history, before announcing his retirement. Even if the exercise of a self-portrait necessarily lacks perspective, this documentary fascinates for almost two hours. Whether we like the artist or not, Michel Sardon reveals himself entirely, and proves that his only desire remains to please his audience.
France 3 9:10 p.m.
