Chloé ValmaryNovember 27, 2024
With “Pas de vague”, released last March, Teddy Lussi-Modeste delivers a social thriller as captivating as it is introspective, carried by an impeccable François Civil in one of his best roles. Inspired by real events, the film subtly explores the flaws in national education and the gray areas of speech. But beyond his impact in theaters, he also influenced “L’Amour Ouf”, the latest success of Gilles Lellouche, by playing a key role in its casting.
No Waves: A hard-hitting social thriller
Released last March, “Pas de vague”, the third feature film by Teddy Lussi-Modeste, tackles a hot topic: the flaws in national education. Inspired by real events, the film follows Julien, a young idealistic professor played by François Civil in one of his most striking roles. Accused of harassment by a student, Julien sees his life turned upside down, trapped between institutional expectations, the family tensions of his accuser, and a society where speech becomes a weapon.
Taking its title from a hashtag that appeared on Twitter in 2018, used by teachers to denounce institutional silence in the face of growing violence, “No waves” is not a simple denunciation of injustice. The film questions power dynamics, institutional flaws, and the complexity of relationships between teachers, students and families in a society in crisis. Teddy Lussi-Modeste, supported by the sharp pen of Audrey Diwan (“The Event”), explores gray areas where truths intertwine.
With a minimalist, but terribly effective production, Teddy Lussi-Modeste borrows the codes of the thriller to reinforce the feeling of suffocation which weighs on the main character. Julien is confronted not only with the injustice of the accusation, but also with the indifference of his institution and the physical threat represented by the student’s older brother, a narrative element which amplifies the tension and recalls the tragedies well real stories by Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard.
Echoing these recent tragedies, “No Waves” stands out as a powerful reflection on speech, its consequences and the urgency of giving a voice back to those who fight to educate.
How the film changed the trajectory of L’Amour Ouf
“L’Amour Ouf”, Gilles Lellouche’s latest hit in theaters, and “Pas de vaguees” have more in common than their screenwriter Audrey Diwan. Indeed, the first film would undoubtedly have been very different without the existence of the second.
In “Pas de vague”, Mallory Wanecque plays Océane, a key student in the plot, whose role weighs heavily in the accusations made against Professor Julien (François Civil). It was during the filming of this film that Mallory Wanecque mentioned to François Civil that she was casting for “L’Amour Ouf”, where she hoped to land the role of teenage Jackie, while François Civil had been chosen to play Clotaire as an adult.
Surprised by his performance on the set of “Pas de vague”, François Civil then informed Gilles Lellouche that Mallory Wanecque reminded him a lot of Adèle Exarchopoulos (who had been chosen to be the adult version of Jackie in “L’Amour Ouf”) in his game and his way of being. Gilles Lellouche therefore followed the advice of François Civil, and offered the role of teenage Jackie to Mallory Wanecque, who sparks alongside Malik Frikah in “L’Amour Ouf”.
They were both pre-selected in the “Revelations” category for the next César, which will take place on February 28, 2025 (and broadcast unencrypted on CANAL+).
NO WAVES can be seen on CANAL+.
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