“He was a man of absolutely incredible complexity and generosity,” responds director Éric Lartigau

The actor Niels Arestrup, awarded a César for “A Prophet”, “Quai d'Orsay” and “De Beat Mon Coeur Stopped”, died on Sunday at the age of 75.

“He was a very lively man, curious about everything, of absolutely incredible complexity and generosity”declared Éric Lartigau on franceinfo, Sunday December 1, a few hours after the death of actor Niels Arestrup, at the age of 75. The director recruited the actor for his film The Man Who Wanted to Live His Life, released in 2010.

Ce “animal side”this is what “had struck” Éric Lartigau the first time the two men met. Niels Arestrup was also a man filled “huge doubts all the time”especially on his acting. “He was at the same time bear, with the gaze of a tiger and very paradoxically, he had extreme gentleness”remembers the director.

The actor was still a “solitaire”describes Éric Lartigau, who “was very simple and shy”, Who “wasn't at all” worldly. The man preferred to have other topics of discussion than the cinema, which he saw “as a secondary profession”.

Niels Arestrup is also known for having committed violence against actresses. In 1983, Isabelle Adjani gave up her role in “Mademoiselle Julie”following a slap from the actor. In 1996, it was Myriam Boyer who was fired from the play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” following an exchange of blows. There have never been any complaints against the actor. “Besides, if they did not file a complaint, I think they must have spoken, they must have exchanged”plays Éric Lartigau, who, “Fortunately”, n’a “I didn't know this violent man at all.”

The director acknowledges having nevertheless detected a “inner violence”with sometimes remarkable scenes depending on the people Niels Arestrup frequented. “There was a circle that we should not pass. There were people, he turned his head towards them… Ten meters away, they turned around,” says Éric Lartigau with a half-smile. “You should not go beyond your circle if you are not kind”he repeats. “He protected himself a lot (…) he was a great man.”