The film “Rose” is being previewed this Sunday at the Narbonne theater. “His modesty, his respect, there was in his depth the very essence of humanity, someone fundamentally attached to nature,” assures director Etienne Garcia.
His Fernandel-style smile nourished by a lilting accent, his extreme kindness in all circumstances, his immoderate love for nature, his unwavering loyalty to Gruissan, his passion for rugby… Cédric Rosalen is no more, and yet, the memory of his life will resurface in full screen, this Sunday at the Narbonne theater, in a tribute film broadcast in preview one year after his death, on January 9, 2024.
As an extension of the sporting tribute organized by the RCN on February 24, 2024, “we wanted to make the absent present”presents Etienne Garcia, the director of “Rose”, a feature film of an hour and a quarter which aims to be “spiritual”such a “initiatory” journey in the footsteps of the “Pèque”. “I didn't want to make an archive film, we hardly see Cédric in my film. In fact, it's a film about life, death doesn't exist. In that, he's unique. It's – that is to say that the soul is present, I really sought to make the absent present, to accompany the mourning.”
He is someone who touched a lot of people.
The emotion aroused by the sudden disappearance of the former opening half of Narbonne, Perpignan, Montauban and Carcassonne (then coach of Aviron gruissanais and Corbières XV), died at the age of 43 by a pulmonary embolism, remained lively in the Aude department, notably with Etienne Garcia (34 years old), a lover of Racing, who keeps very specific memories, such as this record of 32 points scored against Montauban under the orange jersey, one evening in November 2006.
Contagious generosity and authenticity
But “Rose” was much more than an opener-goalscorer, above all he exuded a contagious generosity and authenticity, going against the grain of a professionalism increasingly subject to the dictates of communication. “A great guy”as they say, which was unanimous.
There was in his depth the very essence of humanity, someone fundamentally attached to nature
“In reality, he is someone who touched a lot of peopleassures Etienne Garcia today, supported by Good Sense Productionsexecutive producer of the film. He is one of those extremely strong characters for a society, without being a public man. You mention his name, it resonates with you, whether you are sporty or not. His modesty, his respect, there was in his depth the very essence of humanity, someone fundamentally attached to nature.”
861 contributors
And (human) nature paid it forward, like the 861 contributors who helped raise 30,000 euros needed to make a film that will travel throughout the department from February 2. Born in Ouveillan, child of Gruissan, emblem of Racing Club Narbonne, Cédric Rosalen has not finished rooting his memory on the lands he married.
The film's poster, suggestive and enigmatic, shows a child called to dream in all humility. From behind and in the distance, we must recognize his former teammates Julien Candelon and Gonzalo Quesada. A clue for the narration of a destiny having raised simplicity to the top of the Everest of feelings. “Rose” couldn’t deserve a better nickname.
