In Hippocrates (our opinion)Alice Belaïdi plays Alyson Lévêque, an emergency doctor thrown into the chaos of the public hospital, alongside her partners Louise Bourgoin, Zacharie Chasseriaud, Karim Leklou and Bouli Lanners. At the start of a third season masterfully written and directed by its creator, the former doctor Thomas Lilti, she confides in this adventure which will forever have marked her life.
HippocratesAlice Belaïdi: “I have a very physical memory of the first scene!“
Télé-Loisirs: Your character begins this third season with a particularly intense first scene, how did you experience it?
Alice Belaïdi : I have quite a physical memory of it because, when you get shaken thirty times in a row, even if everyone is very careful, it creates a certain tension in the body! On the other hand, it was fun, because I was playing among these very adorable big guys, with whom I got along a lot between takes. There was a real gap between their benevolence in life and the violence of the scene. Through her, we understand that, even if Alyson remains fragile, she has gained ground and remains determined to not give up to continue caring for people.
How to embody a character who is both extremely fragile and, at the same time, exceptionally solid in crisis situations?
Thanks to this role, I enjoy the immense pleasure of playing the interiority of feelings. Thomas (Lilti, editor’s note) was able to detect in me a sensitivity that others had not perceived. I put a lot of myself into Alyson. While I am often seen as a strong, funny girl, this role allows me to reveal other aspects of my personality, such as fragility or hypersensitivity.
How do you explain the success of the series?
Besides everything that happens at the public hospital – all these failings, all this suffering – Thomas speaks above all about human beings, destinies and encounters. All with a lot of modesty, quite simply because he is like that.
Hippocrates: “This third season is even better than the others!” says Alice Bélaïdi
Isn't it difficult, sometimes, not to be overwhelmed by the emotion of certain scenes?
Our luck in Hippocratesis being able to take the time. Thomas films a lot, with lots of different axes, while allowing us to make suggestions. He knows what he wants, but leaves room for the actors to explore the very essence of their characters. And when emotion overwhelms you, he takes the time to come and tell you: “ It's okay, let's start again, no need to go that far…”.
How do you judge this third season?
For me, it is even better than the others. It wasn't about coming back just to make a sequel. Each time, we start from scratch. Once again, this is Thomas' strength, and that's why we all go back, even if it's trying and in the end we can't take it anymore! (she laughs).
What words would you use to describe the bond that unites you with your partners, Zacharie Chasseriaud, Louise Bourgoin, and Karim Leklou?
We counted the number of days spent together on Hippocrates corresponds to eleven feature films! With Zacharie for example, we have a fraternal bond, really. We call each other all the time, we go on vacation together. During filming, I see them more than my loved ones. We love each other!
“I love sutures!” The astonishing confidences of Alice Bélaïdi
We know that you are coached by doctors to reproduce certain medical procedures, which one will stick with you?
So, I love doing sutures! In this season, it's always me who makes them and I enjoy it! Zacharie and Karim are plasterers, each with their own specialty! It's super funny because sometimes you feel like you're playing Doctor Maboul! We put you in front of a super prosthesis, with needles, fake blood… I, who don't have the baccalaureate, might as well tell you that Medicine was not really the clear path! And there, I find myself with my blouse sewing people up: I'm having a blast like a kid!
Hippocrates, Black butterflies, A little trick in addition, The thread…you are regularly in the credits of films and event series: is it only because you have a good agent?
It's a question of luck. There have been beautiful stars above my path since I was a kid, I must have been very nice in another life! Since I started, I have been accompanied by an agent, Pauline Rostoker, with whom I have built bonds of trust, love and kindness. This is very important in this profession. Right away, she understood that my life was an aspiration to happiness. This involves the freedom to engage in projects that make me happy, before thinking about money and without limiting myself to a particular register. I went my own way, with my little supporting roles, without wanting to shine or crush the others. Little by little, the path has been made without calculation and I tell myself that after fifteen years, I'm not doing so badly!
