Samuel Le Bihan recounts the complicated filming of “Seul”, in Sables-d’Olonne

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Alone is a French television film directed by Pierre Isoard. It traces the story of skipper Yves Parlier (played by Samuel Le Bihan), a participant in the 2000-2001 Vendée Globe. The TV film was 90% filmed in Sables-d’Olonne.

On his Imoca Aquitaine Innovation, the sailor dismasts in the southern seas… He then decides to repair his mast himself!

This fiction, based on the book by French navigator Yves Parlier “Robinson of the Seas” was recently awarded at the CreaTVty festival in Sète, in October 2024. The prize for best single TV film was awarded to it.

It will be broadcast on France 2 on Monday November 4 at 9 p.m.six days before the big departure from Everest from the seas.

Journal des Sables: Why did you accept this role?

Samuel Le Bihan: I had read the novel “Robinson of the Seas”, the testimony of Yves Parlier on his adventure in the Vendée globe 2000, and I had been fascinated by this story, as was the director Pierre Isoard, so we decided to give it a go.

How did the filming go?

Filming on the sea is extremely difficult. It’s harder because the boat turns, the light changes constantly… So in terms of difficulty, you are almost at the maximum level. It was exhausting, constantly unstable. In any case, that’s the principle of making a boat story, it’s obviously much more complicated and requires a lot of energy.

What is the secret to truly stepping into the role of Yves Parlier? Have you met him?

We met after the film! He let us do everything and then he saw if he liked it or not. He really liked it and approved the film, so that was a win. I don’t know if there’s a secret… But for the role, to stick to his story, I lost 10 kilos during the film because he didn’t eat anymore. Then, I did a lot of sailing to get the right movements. My father was a sail fisherman so I had already done it. I had learned the entire script by heart, so that I could play any scene, at any time.

Was it difficult to lose these 10 kilos?

It’s quite violent, I ate very, very little. I was followed by a friend who was a sports coach and put a program in place for me. This isolates you a lot because I didn’t eat like the others, I had a very small bowl. In the evening you don’t go out because you’re tempted to go eat with friends or drink something, so I was quite alone. This regime required me to be in my own bubble during the month and a half of filming.

How did you go about getting an Imoca?

We rented the Imoca from Denis Van Weynbergh, who will participate in the next Vendée Globe. With the film crew, we somehow became one of its sponsors. Financially, it was able to contribute to the preparation of his race. He didn’t know at all what filming was, he had to ask himself questions. Then he understood what we needed, what we were looking for and how we worked. He saw that we were very invested, well organized and serious, so a relationship of trust was established as the days went by. During the scenes, he was present on his boat, he preferred to be careful (laughs).

What do you think of the Vendée Globe?

These boats have nothing to do with it. It’s extremely complex, technical, there is no room for error… It’s another dimension. The Vendée Globe, what they do is superhuman. What they are able to accept in terms of exhaustion, lack of sleep. We adjust a sail, we change a sail… It’s unimaginable what they do, we don’t realize. It’s a physical and mental commitment for three months. It’s incredible to think that men are capable of doing that!

Since filming, have you followed any news about this incredible race?

I don’t necessarily follow the race by the names, but by the event, of course! I hope to be in Les Sables-d’Olonne on the day of departure. At least see them leave.

What do you think of Les Sables-d’Olonne?

As I told you, I wasn’t really able to enjoy it, I was stuck in my diet, but I thought I saw that it had a lot of charms. Old Sables with the small houses in particular. It’s also very pleasant to see this large beach, where people came with their families to stroll. There are wing foils, sailing schools… It’s an area that seems quite rich in activities. I also did Vendée Cœur in 2022. I come from time to time, there are little landmarks!

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