It's great chabadabada for Claude Lelouch this evening at 9 p.m. on Canal +. The encrypted channel broadcasts "La Virtue des impondérables", its latest film, shot in Beaune (Côte-d'Or) with a mobile phone and which will not be released in theaters, then a short film shot in Ferrari on the Monaco circuit. and a special program from the "Circle". At 82, the Claude Lelouch from the world before enters the world after with this beautiful tribute.
Would you have preferred "The Virtue of the Imponderables" to appear on the big screen?
It was planned. But when I saw the traffic jam of films looming, we sacrificed it a bit because we said to ourselves, we shouldn't waste any more time. And since it is shot on a cell phone, I find that it is in step with the times. There are 7 billion reporters on the street today. All major events are filmed on laptops. This guy who dies with a guy who puts his knee on his throat, it is filmed on the laptop and this is perhaps what will advance anti-racism.
We will also see during the evening “Le Grand Rendez-vous”, a short film shot in Monaco…
As the Formula 1 Grand Prix did not take place, the principality offered to put the circuit at my disposal for two hours, in the company of Charles Leclerc, who is surely the future world champion. I was blocked on a circuit and given one of the greatest drivers in the world and two Ferraris! Which gift! It's a ride that I'm going to give people!
How can cinema recover from this Covid crisis?
I think we will have to relaunch the playground (Editor's note: to bring the public back to the halls) . There is not a child who wants to go to school if there is no playground. For example, Cannes-labeled films should be released immediately, within fifty days. You don't have to be profitable but make sacrifices to motivate people to go out.
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How was your confinement in your Calvados mansion?
It allowed me to take my first vacation and I came to understand why there are people who like it. I rested. In addition, it allowed me to meet Claude Lelouch.
He is nice ?
Yes we have become very friends. I have talked to him for hours and hours and I think I will hang out with him a lot.
Did he tell you what he thought of his career?
There are ups and downs and the lows have made ups. All of my great successes came after failures. I discovered how much physical and psychological suffering was the best university in the world. Everything that I have succeeded, I missed it at first but I did not get bored for a second.
Is this period that we have been through a wonderful opportunity to continue observing the human race?
Yes ! For me, the greatest screenwriter in the world is life. He has more and more incredible ideas And as I prepare a film called "Love is better than life", on the year 2020, I enjoy it.
Are you optimistic about the next world?
If I hadn't been an optimist in my life, I wouldn't have made 50 films. I am optimistic because the world has always progressed more by its disasters. He gets too used to habits and if there were no catastrophes to break them, we would still be in the Middle Ages. This is why I made "the Virtue of the imponderables". I always thought that the worst was never disappointing. I want the human race to improve a little and it can improve with this Covid.
What do you see in it as hope?
Because it will leave traces and all that matters in life is what leaves traces. I believe more in yes than in no. My father said to me: "Do everything in life as if everything is fine". And also: "Never listen to the weather because it might make you want to not go out when it rains. "
What does "Love is better than life" say?
This is the story of three friends who were lucky to know each other in prison and who will realize that honesty is the best thing. I will invite in this film all the actors I admire.
Will there be Bernard Tapie?
It is not excluded.
And Bébel?
It is too early to tell. Bébel never ceases to amaze me. What he saw, I do not wish anyone. He confirms to us that he is a real hero. Not a movie stuntman. He is a stuntman of life.