Meeting with its director, Éric Besnard, and the main actress, Alexandra Lamy.
It's an anticipated film which hits French cinema screens this Wednesday. “Louise Violet” tells the story of a teacher practicing her profession in 1889 in a small Auvergne village. Its mission is to impose learning on children in a village which has never sent young people to school. The young mistress will therefore have to assert herself.
To play the lead role of Louise Violet, director Éric Besnard chose actress Alexandra Lamy. They tell us how the film was put together, its filming in Puy-de-Dôme and the messages they wish to convey.
X.GRUMEAU – RVA: What were the motivations for making this film?
Éric Besnard, director: It's been a while since, as a filmmaker, I'm thinking about the French model. Who are we ? Where do we come from? This is what led me to make the film Delicious on the first restaurant in France. A hundred years later, in the Third Republic, we talk a lot about education. It's a political film, not in the sense of controversy, but rather that of city life. I believe that History teaches us a lot of things.
“I first wanted to make a film about education.
Then I realized it was a feminist film.”
RVA : What do you want to say with this film?
E.B : Nothing is acquired. Public school is like democracy. It took a very long time to get there and it can be lost very easily. World history shows this. If we are not careful, these achievements are not eternal. The key is there.
RVA : Was this role of teacher inspired by your teachers?
Alexandra Lamy, actress: It was a French teacher who gave theater lessons who pushed me to pursue this profession. He helped me pass the conservatory. It's great to have a teacher who left an impression on you and who changed your life. We spend almost more time with a teacher than with our parents, especially when they work. I had teachers who were essential turning points in my life.
“When I was a child, I must have wanted to become a schoolteacher, like many people.”
RVA : How did you prepare for this role?
A.L : The Commune is a period I was completely unfamiliar with. I obviously read, I asked Eric for advice, I found out about this woman. This character, nothing scares him. And that’s super important, she can cope. There is something very strong about her.
E.B : She is a woman who is afraid of feeling emotions. When you've lost something, there's nothing worse than feeling affected again. Suddenly you become fragile again. The Achilles heel is the other.
RVA : Alexandra, you spent part of your childhood in Auvergne. Did filming in Puy-de-Dôme bring back any memories for you?
A.L : I knew little, because I had family on my father's side in Auvergne. I remember large tables with lots of food (laugh). The Sunday walk with the grandparents. Auvergne with its volcanoes, I really wanted to go hiking during confinement.
RVA : How did the casting of the Auvergne children go?
E.B : Apart from Grégory Gadebois' daughter, all the children come from here. Most of the actors are amateurs, locals. For little Jules, I found him almost too handsome for the film. I imagined him a little less handsome (laugh). But he had such grace that it could not be refused.
The film is screened this Wednesday, November 6 at Ciné Jaude, Pathé Aubière, CGR Le Paris, CGR Val Arena, Le Gergovie (Cournon-d'Auvergne), Cinéma Arcadia (Riom) and Modern (Issoire).
