In “L’Heureuse Élue”, directed by Frank Bellocq, Camille Lellouche landed a leading role in the cinema for the first time. Between laughter, emotions and self-deprecation, she tells us about her journey, her relationship with the suburbs, her meeting with Michèle Laroque, and her constant desire to excel in several artistic fields.
RTL info: You play in the film “L’Heureuse Élue”, directed by Frank Bellocq. This is your first leading role in cinema. Is this a long-held dream or a logical continuation of your career?
Camille Lellouche: I’ve been working in cinema for a few years, and I’ve been offered leading roles in the past, but I felt like it wasn’t the right time or project for me yet. There, a producer and a screenwriter came to see me with a tailor-made project, a comedy with all the self-deprecation necessary for it to be successful. We know that I have a good sense of self-deprecation, so they knew they could get away with that with me. I’m really happy, it’s a film where you laugh from start to finish. There are moments of very real emotion and no moments of depression. I’m quite proud of the result. Sure, playing the lead is great, but that’s not everything. You need a great team, and there, we really functioned like a theater troupe. With excellent duos: Lionel with me, Erdogan, Michèle Laroque and Gérard Darmon, Amaury de Crayencour, Clémence Bretécher and Chloé Astor.
Your character, Fiona, comes from the suburbs. Is there a bit of you in this role ?
Yes, there is a little bit of me, but not only that. I didn’t want the character to become a cliché about the suburbs. I grew up in the suburbs and I wanted to preserve this image. Fiona is rude, yes, like a lot of people, but she has real values. She is whole, honest, not a thief or a liar, unlike the bourgeois environment she faces in the film. I wanted to avoid easy stereotypes like “if you come from the suburbs, you are necessarily vulgar or aggressive”. Fiona is much more than that.
You share the bill with Gérard Darmon, a long-time friend, but it was your first meeting with Michèle Laroque. How did it go?
I have an anecdote! The day we first met, it was to shoot the scene where I waxed him. I’m in a state of absolute anxiety and so is Michel, because even if it’s false, it’s still a delicate position where we have to get to know each other.
In one of your songs, you say: “I do everything to be the best in several areas”. Isn’t that exhausting?
Yes, it’s exhausting, but what isn’t today? In fact, I don’t try to be the best in relation to others, but for myself. I need to feel like I’m giving my best in everything I do.
Between the stage, writing and cinema, which of these arts brings you the most satisfaction today?
Everything is linked and yet very different, it complements each other really well. But if there’s one place I don’t hide, it’s in the song. When I sing, it’s 90% my story. There is no filter, this is where I am most vulnerable, where there is no longer a barrier between me and the public.
Finally, you recently walked the runway as a model. Is this a new string to your bow?
It was a little girl’s dream, but at 1m58, I thought it was impossible. The designer asked me to show for him and I said yes! I was terrified, but it was an incredible experience. I’m rather modest in general, but I loved this moment of madness. It was impressive and very pleasant.
Camille Lellouche comedian actress film cinema L’Heureuse Electe
