The British rockstar Pete Doherty came to Pau, and it’s a first! He was invited this Saturday April 27, 2024 to the Le Méliès cinema as part of the international musical film festival “Rock this town”. An event which has just started and which continues until Sunday May 5, 2024. Pete Doherty came to present with his wife, the director Katia de Vidas, the documentary Peter Doherty: Stranger in my own skin which traces the life of the singer. A film which also discusses at length his fight against addiction to hard drugs.
A film for everyone
Is this a film intended exclusively for fans of the singer, for those who already know his story perfectly? The answer is no, according to Katia de Vidas. “I think the story of this film, Peter’s story is a totally universal storyshe explains. It’s the story of a guy trying to get by. And there it turns out it’s Peter and he’s a rockstar, but it could have been anyone. It’s the story of someone who fights against his demons and tries to get out of them.“
Peter Doherty: Stranger In My Own Skin | Official Trailer
Same answer for Pete Doherty. This documentary was not designed to be seen only by fans. “You know, a filmmaker, I think, doesn’t particularly have an audience in mind. He wants everyone to be able to enjoy the filmhe explains. Think of any movie, a great western or 2001, A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick. Who is this film for? For everyone who loves movies, right? I think Katia really sees this as a normal film, as a film intended to be enjoyed by a movie-loving audience. It would be his worst nightmare if it were only Pete Doherty fans who enjoyed the film.“Proof that this documentary is accessible to as many people as possible, it is not reserved for purists, and is available on the Canal+ platform.
A painful first viewing
Nothing is glossed over in this documentary but the saddest events. Pete Doherty’s addiction to hard drugs is even a central element. When the singer saw the film for the first time, it was a particularly complicated moment. “It was moving, so difficult, impossible evenhe says. I wanted to leave the room, and Katia told me to stay!“
This first viewing was also a test for his wife Katia de Vidas. She who filmed the man who would become her husband for more than ten years. “I had enormous apprehensioninsists the director. I hear my voice three times in the film, I want to die. Peter is in close-up in every scene of the film, it’s difficult to watch himself. I knew he was going to freak out and I, I was also freaked out because I wanted someone to be proud of the film. I wanted him to be happy. I think we succeeded, I think we are all proud of the film.” After the screening at the Méliès, Pete Doherty performed in concert in front of the spectators. The singer comes from elsewhere to complete his last solo albumwhich will be released at the end of the year.
