Calm, measured, the look of a quiet philosopher… How can we think that Bertrand Blier is the author of a protest firestorm, called “Les Valseuses”, so outside the norms, even the most revolutionary, that this film is made to raise eyebrows teeth on all sides…
Bertrand Blier (let’s remember that he is Bernard’s son) loves and admires his father, but prefers the career of author and director to that of actor. He first distinguished himself with a cinematic experiment on youth, “Hitler, don’t know”, which, by its frankness and its raw truth, already raised some controversies.
Afterwards, he says, I worked on a few film projects which didn’t come to fruition, but at the same time I was passionate about my second profession, that of a writer. So I published “les Valseuses”. The book divided critics, and even some readers, into two camps. No half measures. We are for or against. For the film, it will undoubtedly be the same thing.
As you yourself brought it to the screen, at least you are certain that you have not been betrayed!
I think, in fact, that I have been true to myself. But cinema is however another vision, although I have not had to make a psychological transposition. In “Les Valseuses”, everything is direct, instinctive, the characters do not lend themselves to analysis. They cannot be claimed by anyone either, and that is why I do not have to expect support from any political or social group.
Two “intelligent morons”
The two heroes of “Valseuses”, in fact, are no more fascist than leftists. They live in the present moment without thinking, steal without any notion of guilt, mistreat women without any notion of modesty, have a good time day by day, don’t think about remaking the world. They are hateful by their behavior, disarming by their unconsciousness. It is without knowing it that they are perhaps the purest anarchists, those who respect nothing or anyone, disturb everything that is organized, and are guilty of nothing since they ignore guilt.
Stupid people, comments Bertrand Blier, but intelligent morons, which is annoying. They throw themselves into incredible, unbearable situations, because things are not going right in their heads. If I filmed their behavior with total realism, it would be unbearable. But, I use humor. It is only through humor that we can justify unjustifiable reactions.
Do you also play the erotic card?
No way. There are scenes that we could call “daring”, but they are anti-eroticism, a total demystification of love. This is why the female audience who will see this film worries me. I’m afraid women will be shocked, because they are rather mistreated.
-Even Jeanne Moreau?
Especially Jeanne Moreau. My characters do not do him any favors, any more than they do Miou Miou, the girl who, from start to finish, will be their victim, quite willing in fact.
Bertrand Blier and Jeanne Moreau.
C.P.
Do you expect a lot, it seems, from Gérard Depardieu?
Because he identifies in a fantastic way with his free, amoral character, all in one piece, both comical and disturbing. It’s written for him. It will be a major role, a bit like what “Breathless” was for Jean-Paul Belmondo. Depardieu is unique, unusual, unlike anyone. I think he would have been the ideal actor in “A Clockwork Orange”. His friend, Patrick Dewaere, is not bad either, by the way. And then, we should notice another boy, Jacques Chailleux, a sort of Le Vigan, young, very funny and a real cinema beast.
Is the staging as free as the characters?
What I can tell you is that it moves a lot, in true comic book style, with ellipses, continual changes of scenery, direct sequences. Never any intermediate action; characters always in motion.
Will your next film be of the same spirit?
I developed a taste for literature. Before my next film, I want to write a book. But when I make films again, I want it to still be aggressive and picaresque, a bit like “Butch Cassidy” and “the Kid”.
