End of the silence. Since the thunderous re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, George Clooney has not made any statement. Until his arrival in… Brignoles, this Thursday evening. On the sidelines of the inauguration of the new Liberté cinema, the pro-democrat actor confided to us his state of mind. “There is an interesting thing about democracy: they voted and they decided on a candidate, he says, fair play. That’s how democracy works.”
End of his political commitment? Not really. The Hollywood star adds: “Sometimes it's not the person you want. The good news is that democracy always wins, we'll continue living and present a candidate another day.” A word about Donald Trump? “Now is not the right time to talk about this.”he dodges, supported by a smile, before rushing into the main room of the cinema.
With Barack Obama, George Clooney was actively involved in the American campaign: he was notably one of the most influential figures to have called for the withdrawal of Joe Biden, before the candidacy of Kamala Harris. “I like Joe Biden, but we need another candidate (to win in November)”he wrote in a column published in the New York Times last July. Missed.
Clooney, this Brignolais
Return to Brignoles. In front of him, three hundred guests, including several mayors of green Provence (Cotignac, Forcalqueiret, etc.) and a few elected officials, in confidence, who came from Toulon. “I’m sorry, my French is horrible”begins George Clooney, asked to take the microphone. In English, he then praises the qualities of the mayor of the stage Didier Brémond: “He's amazing. I'm proud to call him my friend”. Words translated by his head of security. Not always well interpreted, obviously. “This guy, he could make me say anything. He could kill me”he laughed, before thanking the audience for welcoming his family to the Var, with “so much kindness”.
Between selfies and signings, he has no shortage of them. He also mentioned a project that is close to his heart. Support here, “a charity event once a year to try to raise money for a cause”. If he already has an idea in mind? “It must not come from me, it must be the idea of the Brignolais. “To those who ask him for news of his “bring” Brad Pitt, owner of the Miraval estate, also has the answer: “Everyone wants Brad. Everyone always asks for Brad. He's very old.” Followed by a burst of laughter.
The Landing of Provence on the screens?
Another subject of discussion: the Landing of Provence, the 80th anniversary of which was commemorated this summer. This time, it was the president of the Department Jean-Louis Masson who suggested that he take the path of making a film about it. made in Hollywood, as for that of Normandie with We must save soldier Rayan. And why not? “I didn't know this story, he told us. They only told me this story this evening. I find it fascinating. I didn't know so many people had arrived here. It’s a very interesting story.” Will he transform it onto the screens? “It should be a film made by a French director or author. You should start by asking my friend Jean Dujardin!” New laughter.
An hour later, George Clooney heads towards the (small) exit door. Thinking he had escaped his fans, he took a final break with the police who had ensured his movement, a dozen gendarmes and municipal police officers. Too much? It's time to slip away, behind the wheel of your Fiat 500 Abarth: “I’m going home otherwise my wife will kill me”.
