Par
Ludivine Laniepce
Published on
Jan 6, 2025 at 7:26 a.m.
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Cherbourgeoise Mirabela Vian, 34, plays Maïssa in “Rivages”, the first two episodes of which are broadcast this Monday January 6, 2025 in the first part of the evening on France 2.
The seriestour in Normandy in Fécamp, Étretat and Dieppe (Seine-Maritime), brings together several Norman talents in a prestigious casting : Fleur Geffrier, Guillaume Labbé, Thierry Godard, Jean-Marc Barr, Olivia Côte…
She addresses themes who are familiar et news for the Manchois: fishermen, shipwreck, conflict with the English, explosives from the Second World War, but also marine life, resources and pollution and offshore wind farm project.
What is it about?
Following the inexplicable sinking of a trawler and the disappearance of its crew of fishermen in the Channel Sea, Abigail (Fleur Geffrier), an oceanographer at Ifremer, is sent to Fécamp, her hometown, to try to locate the wreckage and understand what could have happened. New mysterious phenomena occur at sea, bringing the activity of a fishery to a halt. An environmental thriller which questions the fragile balance between man and nature, but also, and perhaps above all, which explores several facets of mourning, including that of the loss of a child.
How did you land this role as a scientist?
It was August 2023. I was interning in Montreal at Gilles Plouffe’s acting studio. I had already applied for this role and my agent was able to get more details. I passed the casting remotely, by sending a tape [un bout d’essai en vidéo, NDLR]without even having the adequate technical equipment to do something good. I was called a week later and it turned out to be favorable!
Did being from Normandy play a role?
Yes, I think that being from the region, but also having a foot in Paris, was a plus. The fact that I come from these two worlds must have pleased me, and I am linked with the Normandie Images agency. There is a dedicated envelope from the Normandy Region which promotes this territorial anchoring in “Rivages”. You can feel it in the casting. Fleur Geffrier has family in Cherbourg, Christophe Perez is from Le Havre, Jean-Marc Barr is linked to Dieppe… On the set, I recognized quite a few well-known figures from Cherbourg, from Rouen… There are a lot of actors Normans, even in small roles.
“Many Norman actors, even in small roles”
What moved you when reading the script?
I got it very quickly and was able to read it in full, which allowed me to understand the series’ intentions to prepare my character. I was sensitive to the fact that this was happening in my region, that there was also a real message of activismaround humans, ecology, nature. I was also deeply taken by the relationship with children, motherhood and mourning. “Rivages” is a relevant series, a beautiful production that has nothing to envy of platforms like Netflix. The communion between man and animal is strong, there is a real message of hope with great audacity.
“As an actress, it’s a pretty good step”
How was the filming?
It took place the following fall, in 2023, a day before Ciarán in fact. My scenes were put together in one day instead of two because of the weather conditions. It was a bit sporty. Filming was briefly stopped by the storm.
What does this role represent in your career?
I was very well received by the actors and directors. This role is my first visible on television. I’ve already played several small roles but they didn’t have as much visibility, some were cut during editing or they were silhouettes. This is the first time that I have had a consistent role. As an actress, it’s a pretty big step. I appreciated the notion of duration and follow-up that this role offered me.
In what other productions can we see you soon?
In the detective series “Joseph”, by Lucien Jean-Baptiste, produced by Nolita. We actually filmed here, in Cherbourg, last year. It was the first time I went to a shoot by bike, since it was 15 minutes from my house! This year, in April and May, I am participating in the filming of a feature film at the Château de Carneville, an adaptation of the novel The Bewitched by Barbey d’Aurevilly. The operation will be a little different from industrial cinema, it will be more cooperative and managed by cultural mediation. An unusual film in the way it was shot, in fact we are going to invite people, from cinema and theater classes, to come to the castle. Students from the Alexis-de-Tocqueville high school in Cherbourg should make the costumes for us. We try to add local elements, ecology and territory to this shoot.
What are your other projects related to dance?
Right now, I’m in Paris. I’m rehearsing at the Opéra-Comique starting next week. We will be on stage in February then on tour in Montpellier for the Médée production. For me, acting and dancing complement each other. There is always a bit of dance, of body to be found in a text, and of text to be found in a dance.
“Rivages”, 6 episodes of 52 minutes, 2024, created by Jonathan Rio and Monica Rattazzi, directed by David Hourrègue with the support of the Normandy Region. First two episodes broadcast this Monday, January 6, 2025, at 9:05 p.m., on France 2.
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